Discrete Fracture
Application ID: 691
This example models free flow through a fracture in a block of porous media, where flow in the fracture is much faster than in the matrix block.
- The Darcy's law physics interface is used to model the flow in the porous block
- The fracture flow is modeled by adding the Fracture Flow feature to the Darcy's law interface. The fracture flow is added to a 2D surface in the 3D domain.
This model is relevant for those interested in subsurface flow and transport of contaminants, including radioactive materials; and oil companies who need to examine fast flow to wells through fractures and slow flow through the tiny pores between grains in a rock or soil.

This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products:
however, additional products may be required to completely define and model it. Furthermore, this example may also be defined and modeled using components from the following product combinations:
- COMSOL Multiphysics® and
- either the Porous Media Flow Module, or Subsurface Flow Module
The combination of COMSOL® products required to model your application depends on several factors and may include boundary conditions, material properties, physics interfaces, and part libraries. Particular functionality may be common to several products. To determine the right combination of products for your modeling needs, review the Specification Chart and make use of a free evaluation license. The COMSOL Sales and Support teams are available for answering any questions you may have regarding this.