The paper presents a methodology for describing the mechanical and hydraulic response of fractured geomaterials undergoing self-healing (i.e. recovery of strength/stiffness) and self-sealing (i.e. reduction of permeability). Regaining of strength and decrease in fracture transmissivity are particularly desirable in host rock as well as engineered barrier systems of deep geological repositories for disposal of low and intermediate-level nuclear waste. In this work, an enhanced continuum formulation is provided for describing the effects of fracture healing/sealing processes. Numerical examples are also given that illustrate both hydraulic and mechanical aspects of the proposed approach.

本文提出了一种方法来描述经历自愈（即恢复强度/刚度）和自密封（即降低渗透率）的裂隙土工材料的机械和水力响应。恢复强度和降低裂缝的透射率特别适合于宿主岩以及用于深层和中层核废料处置的深层地质处置库的隔离屏障系统。在这项工作中，提供了一种增强的连续体配方，用于描述骨折愈合/密封过程的效果。还给出了数值示例，说明了所提出方法的液压和机械方面。