Abstract: There is essential difference between fluid flow in fractured rock and that in conventional porous media; it is presented as the structure heterogeneities over a broad range of scales. The mainly difficulties for simulating fluid flow in fractured rock are the characterization of that heterogeneities. Conceptual models of present day, including equivalent continuum models, discrete fracture network models and hybrid models, use different techniques to predict flow and transport in fractured geological media. Based on different assumptions and conceptual frameworks, these models have respectively different advantages and disadvantages; the selection for application of them should be dependent on the in-situ speciality and the requiring of concerned problems. Besides, the conceptual models for fluid flow in single fracture are also discussed.

Key words: fractured rock, fluid flow, conceptual models, single fracture