Synthetic fractured medium and method of fabrication

A method of fabricating a consolidated porous media sample, the method comprising:

• assembling an assembly having an outer tube having opposed open ends and a first softening temperature, at least one sheet or wire of dissolvable material, and a plurality of beads of multiple sizes having a second softening temperature below the first softening temperature, wherein the at least one sheet or wire of dissolvable material is disposed in the outer tube with the plurality of beads packed around the at least one sheet or wire;
• sintering the plurality of beads with the at least one sheet or wire disposed therein to generate an elongate sintered construct defining pores by applying heat at the second softening temperature, wherein the elongate sintered construct has a lengthwise dimension extending between the opposed open ends of the outer tube;
• and
• dissolving the at least one sheet or wire to define at least one fracture or channel in the sintered construct that extends along the entire lengthwise dimension of the sintered construct that extends between the opposed open ends of the outer tube, wherein the at least one fracture or channel is configured to replicate or mimic a fracture in reservoir rock.