Modelling Methods Attached to the Research of Groundwater Flow in Fractured Rocks – Theories, Laboratory and Numerical Modelling

Abstract

There are serious efforts worldwide to better understand and model groundwater flow in fractured rocks and karst aquifers. This study summarizes the major theories and idealizations used for describe flow in fractured rocks and presents a laboratory model and numerical models which were made for this purpose. The laboratory model originally made by Öllős and Németh in 1960 was rebuilt in MODFLOW-CFP. The usability of both modelling method was analysed. Based on the experience of this modelling an existing cave system was modelled with CFP. The Molnár János Cave – a karst cave almost filled with water – was analysed with the tool of numerical modelling to better understand the flow in cave conduits.