Emerging Scientists Session
Modeling of coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical processes within fractured rocks involving fracture generation and subsequent aperture/permeability evolution.
- Prof. Sho Ogata
- Osaka University
Biography
Sho Ogata is currently working as an Assistant professor at Division of Global Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Osaka. Sho Ogata holds a MSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Ehime, and a PhD in Urban Management from the University of Kyoto, Japan. His research focuses mostly on the numerical modeling of coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical damage-chemical process within fractured rock. He is energetically applying the developed numerical models to actual rock engineering projects such as geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste and enhanced geothermal system.
Introduction of the Lecture
When discussing various rock engineering projects targeting fractured rock masses in deep underground, such as geological isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) and enhanced geothermal system (EGS), it is paramount to numerically predict the detailed responses of rock fractures, from their initiation/propagation and subsequent temporal structure evolution induced by coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical phenomena. To realize such numerical prediction, we have presented novel coupled numerical models that can handle extremely complex convolved phenomena including heat transfer, fluid flow/pressurization, mass transport, mineral dissolution/precipitation, mechanical deformation, fracture initiation/propagation, and temporal alteration of fracture aperture. In this lecture, the description of our THMC coupling models and their applications to rock engineering problems such as HLW geological disposal and EGS, will be introduced.