| Summary: | The factors affecting the deflection flow in a bifurcated fracture under the effect of the fracture contact area are discussed. The effects of the contact area and cross-section on the deflection flow are determined using a combination of experiments and numerical simulations. The contact and seepage changes in bifurcated fractures under a confining pressure are monitored using a pressure film. A parallel plate bifurcated fracture model with a single contact area is established, which is in good agreement with the results of the laboratory experiments. Based on numerical simulation experiments, under the effects of the contact area and cross-section, the change in the effective flow path is the main reason for the change in the deflection flow behavior. The proportion of the flow path of the entire fracture is used to reflect the deflection flow characteristics under different contact areas and cross-sectional areas. For a given contact area, the larger the cross-section of the contact area, the larger the difference in the outlet flow of the bifurcated fracture and the more obvious the deflection flow behavior. As the contact area increases and the cross-section is constant, the effective path of the fluid does not change, and the deflection flow behavior does not change. This explanation of the cause of fracture deflection flow is of great significance for studying fracture seepage.
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