Fracture Network Connectivity Dataset

The dataset comprises fracture network connectivity analysis results from both natural outcrop observations and numerically simulated discrete fracture networks (DFNs), designed to investigate the scale-dependent behavior of fracture connectivity and determine representative elementary volumes (REVs).

The dataset consists of 13 MATLAB files totaling approximately 1 MB. It includes 12 simulation files (each 61-65 KB) representing artificial DFN configurations under three distinct geological scenarios, and one outcrop data file (259 KB) containing field measurements from 80 natural fracture systems collected from diverse global regions. The three simulation scenarios are: (1) No Sealing, representing baseline open fracture networks; (2) Stress Effect, modeling fracture networks under critical stress conditions where only critically stressed fractures remain permeable; and (3) Stress Effect with Partial Sealing, combining stress effects with partial fracture closure to represent realistic geological conditions. Each scenario includes four different fracture networks (idx1-4); in total, there are 12 cases. The data has 7 columns:
Column 1: Total connectivity
Column 2: Number of fractures
Column 3: Number of clusters
Column 4: Total length of fractures
Column 5: Connectivity Cb
Column 6: Relative sample box size
Column 7: Area of the sample box