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The influence of plasticity in hydraulic fracturing

The influence of plasticity in hydraulic fracturing This paper examines the influence of plasticity in hydraulic fracturing. Fluid flow in the fracture is modelled by lubrication theory. Rock deformation is modelled by the Mohr–Coulomb flow theory of plasticity and the propagation criterion is based on the softening behaviour of rocks. The coupled, nonlinear problem is solved by a combined finite difference–finite element scheme. The results show that plastic yielding near the tip of a propagating fracture provides an effective shielding, resulting in an increase of the rock effective fracture toughness by more than an order of magnitude. Higher pressure is needed to propogate an elasto-plastic fracture than an elastic fracture, and the created elasto-plastic fracture is shorter and wider than the elastic fracture of the same volume. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Fracture Springer Journals

The influence of plasticity in hydraulic fracturing

Papanastasiou, Panos
International Journal of Fracture , Volume 84 (1) – Oct 15, 2004
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References (21)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 by Kluwer Academic Publishers
Subject
Materials Science; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Classical Mechanics; Civil Engineering; Automotive Engineering; Mechanical Engineering
ISSN
0376-9429
eISSN
1573-2673
DOI
10.1023/A:1007336003057
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of plasticity in hydraulic fracturing. Fluid flow in the fracture is modelled by lubrication theory. Rock deformation is modelled by the Mohr–Coulomb flow theory of plasticity and the propagation criterion is based on the softening behaviour of rocks. The coupled, nonlinear problem is solved by a combined finite difference–finite element scheme. The results show that plastic yielding near the tip of a propagating fracture provides an effective shielding, resulting in an increase of the rock effective fracture toughness by more than an order of magnitude. Higher pressure is needed to propogate an elasto-plastic fracture than an elastic fracture, and the created elasto-plastic fracture is shorter and wider than the elastic fracture of the same volume.

Journal

International Journal of Fracture – Springer Journals

Published: Oct 15, 2004

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