Discrete fracture network(DFN)commonly existing in natural rock masses plays an important role in geological complexity which can influence rock fracturing behaviour during fluid injection.This paper simulated the hyd...Discrete fracture network(DFN)commonly existing in natural rock masses plays an important role in geological complexity which can influence rock fracturing behaviour during fluid injection.This paper simulated the hydraulic fracturing process in lab-scale coal samples with DFNs and the induced seismic activities by the discrete element method(DEM).The effects of DFNs on hydraulic fracturing,induced seismicity and elastic property changes have been concluded.Denser DFNs can comprehensively decrease the peak injection pressure and injection duration.The proportion of strong seismic events increases first and then decreases with increasing DFN density.In addition,the relative modulus of the rock mass is derived innovatively from breakdown pressure,breakdown fracture length and the related initiation time.Increasing DFN densities among large(35–60 degrees)and small(0–30 degrees)fracture dip angles show opposite evolution trends in relative modulus.The transitional point(dip angle)for the opposite trends is also proportionally affected by the friction angle of the rock mass.The modelling results have much practical meaning to infer the density and geometry of pre-existing fractures and the elastic property of rock mass in the field,simply based on the hydraulic fracturing and induced seismicity monitoring data.展开更多
Accurate prediction of hydraulic fracture propagation is vital for Enhanced Geothermal System(EGS)design.We study the first hydraulic fracturing job at the GR1 well in the Gonghe Basin using field data,where the overa...Accurate prediction of hydraulic fracture propagation is vital for Enhanced Geothermal System(EGS)design.We study the first hydraulic fracturing job at the GR1 well in the Gonghe Basin using field data,where the overall direction of hydraulic fractures does not show a delineated shape parallel to the maximum principal stress orientation.A field-scale numerical model based on the distinct element method is set up to carry out a fully coupled hydromechanical simulation,with the explicit representation of natural fractures via the discrete fracture network(DFN)approach.The effects of injection parameters and in situ stress on hydraulic fracture patterns are then quantitatively assessed.The study reveals that shear-induced deformation primarily governs the fracturing morphology in the GR1 well,driven by smaller injection rates and viscosities that promote massive activation of natural fractures,ultimately dominating the direction of hydraulic fracturing.Furthermore,the increase of in situ differential stress may promote shear damage of natural fracture surfaces,with the exact influence pattern depending on the combination of specific discontinuity properties and in situ stress state.Finally,we provide recommendations for EGS fracturing based on the influence characteristics of multiple parameters.This study can serve as an effective basis and reference for the design and optimization of EGS in the Gonghe basin and other sites.展开更多
The goal of this research is to develop mine-scale discrete fracture network(DFN)models in which the influence of the spatial heterogeneity of fracture distributions may be investigated on the rock wedge stability of ...The goal of this research is to develop mine-scale discrete fracture network(DFN)models in which the influence of the spatial heterogeneity of fracture distributions may be investigated on the rock wedge stability of an open pit slope.For this purpose,spatially conditioned DFN models were developed for the pit walls at Tasiast mine using comprehensive structural data from the mine.Using Sequential Gaussian Simulation(SGS),volumetric fracture intensities(P32)were modeled across the entire mine site in the form of 3D block models.The simulated P32 block models were used as the input constraints for conditional DFN fracture generation,where the DFN grid dimension is the same as the SGS 3D blocks.The spatially constrained DFN models were further calibrated using aerial fracture intensities(P21)data from the pit walls,obtained by a survey of the pit walls using an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)and measured traces of joints from 3D point cloud data.The final DFN model is expected to honor the fracture intensities gathered through different means with optimal model accuracy.Finally,bench-scale and interramp scale rock wedge slope stability analyses were conducted using the calibrated conditional DFN models.This work proves the significance of conditioned DFN models in rock wedge stability analysis.Such models provide detailed information regarding rock wedge stability so that site monitoring and prevention plans can be conducted with higher efficiency.展开更多
Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout a...Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout analyses were based on continuum mechanics.In addition to failure in intact rocks,wellbore breakouts can also be initiated along natural discontinuities,e.g.weak planes and fractures.Furthermore,the conventional models in wellbore breakouts with uniform distribution fractures could not reflect the real drilling situation.This paper presents a fully coupled hydro-mechanical model of the SB-X well in the Tarim Basin,China for evaluating wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks under anisotropic stress states using the distinct element method(DEM)and the discrete fracture network(DFN).The developed model was validated against caliper log measurement,and its stability study was carried out by stress and displacement analyses.A parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of the characteristics of fracture distribution(orientation and length)on borehole stability by sensitivity studies.Simulation results demonstrate that the increase of the standard deviation of orientation when the fracture direction aligns parallel or perpendicular to the principal stress direction aggravates borehole instability.Moreover,an elevation in the average fracture length causes the borehole failure to change from the direction of the minimum in-situ horizontal principal stress(i.e.the direction of wellbore breakouts)towards alternative directions,ultimately leading to the whole wellbore failure.These findings provide theoretical insights for predicting wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks.展开更多
Analyzing rock mass seepage using the discrete fracture network(DFN)flow model poses challenges when dealing with complex fracture networks.This paper presents a novel DFN flow model that incorporates the actual conne...Analyzing rock mass seepage using the discrete fracture network(DFN)flow model poses challenges when dealing with complex fracture networks.This paper presents a novel DFN flow model that incorporates the actual connections of large-scale fractures.Notably,this model efficiently manages over 20,000 fractures without necessitating adjustments to the DFN geometry.All geometric analyses,such as identifying connected fractures,dividing the two-dimensional domain into closed loops,triangulating arbitrary loops,and refining triangular elements,are fully automated.The analysis processes are comprehensively introduced,and core algorithms,along with their pseudo-codes,are outlined and explained to assist readers in their programming endeavors.The accuracy of geometric analyses is validated through topological graphs representing the connection relationships between fractures.In practical application,the proposed model is employed to assess the water-sealing effectiveness of an underground storage cavern project.The analysis results indicate that the existing design scheme can effectively prevent the stored oil from leaking in the presence of both dense and sparse fractures.Furthermore,following extensive modification and optimization,the scale and precision of model computation suggest that the proposed model and developed codes can meet the requirements of engineering applications.展开更多
Fractured reservoirs are an important target for oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin and the prediction of this type of reservoir is challenging.Due to the complicated fracture system in the Tarim Basin,the con...Fractured reservoirs are an important target for oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin and the prediction of this type of reservoir is challenging.Due to the complicated fracture system in the Tarim Basin,the conventional AVO inversion method based on HTI theory to predict fracture development will result in some errors.Thus,an integrated research concept for fractured reservoir prediction is put forward in this paper.Seismic modeling plays a bridging role in this concept,and the establishment of an anisotropic fracture model by Discrete Fracture Network （DFN） is the key part.Because the fracture system in the Tarim Basin shows complex anisotropic characteristics,it is vital to build an effective anisotropic model.Based on geological,well logging and seismic data,an effective anisotropic model of complex fracture systems can be set up with the DFN method.The effective elastic coefficients,and the input data for seismic modeling can be calculated.Then seismic modeling based on this model is performed,and the seismic response characteristics are analyzed.The modeling results can be used in the following AVO inversion for fracture detection.展开更多
Heterogeneity is an inherent component of rock and may be present in different forms including mineralheterogeneity, geometrical heterogeneity, weak grain boundaries and micro-defects. Microcracks areusually observed ...Heterogeneity is an inherent component of rock and may be present in different forms including mineralheterogeneity, geometrical heterogeneity, weak grain boundaries and micro-defects. Microcracks areusually observed in crystalline rocks in two forms： natural and stress-induced; the amount of stressinducedmicrocracking increases with depth and in-situ stress. Laboratory results indicate that thephysical properties of rocks such as strength, deformability, P-wave velocity and permeability areinfluenced by increase in microcrack intensity. In this study, the finite-discrete element method （FDEM）is used to model microcrack heterogeneity by introducing into a model sample sets of microcracks usingthe proposed micro discrete fracture network （mDFN） approach. The characteristics of the microcracksrequired to create mDFN models are obtained through image analyses of thin sections of Lac du Bonnetgranite adopted from published literature. A suite of two-dimensional laboratory tests including uniaxial,triaxial compression and Brazilian tests is simulated and the results are compared with laboratory data.The FDEM-mDFN models indicate that micro-heterogeneity has a profound influence on both the mechanicalbehavior and resultant fracture pattern. An increase in the microcrack intensity leads to areduction in the strength of the sample and changes the character of the rock strength envelope. Spallingand axial splitting dominate the failure mode at low confinement while shear failure is the dominantfailure mode at high confinement. Numerical results from simulated compression tests show thatmicrocracking reduces the cohesive component of strength alone, and the frictional strength componentremains unaffected. Results from simulated Brazilian tests show that the tensile strength is influenced bythe presence of microcracks, with a reduction in tensile strength as microcrack intensity increases. Theimportance of microcrack heterogeneity in reproducing a bi-linear or S-shape failure envelope and itseffects on the mechanisms leading to spalling damage near an underground opening are also discussed.展开更多
Structure plane is one of the important factors affecting the stability and failure mode of rock mass engineering.Rock mass structure characterization is the basic work of rock mechanics research and the important con...Structure plane is one of the important factors affecting the stability and failure mode of rock mass engineering.Rock mass structure characterization is the basic work of rock mechanics research and the important content of numerical simulation.A new 3-dimensional rough discrete fracture network(RDFN3D)model and its modeling method based on the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot(W-M)function were presented in this paper.The RDFN3D model,which improves and unifies the modelling methods for the complex structural planes,has been realized.The influence of fractal dimension,amplitude,and surface precision on the modeling parameters of RDFN3D was discussed.The reasonable W-M parameters suitable for the roughness coefficient of JRC were proposed,and the relationship between the mathematical model and the joint characterization was established.The RDFN3D together with the smooth 3-dimensional discrete fracture network(DFN3D)models were successfully exported to the drawing exchange format,which will provide a wide application in numerous numerical simulation codes including both the continuous and discontinuous methods.The numerical models were discussed using the COMSOL Multiphysics code and the 3-dimensional particle flow code,respectively.The reliability of the RDFN3D model was preliminarily discussed and analyzed.The roughness and spatial connectivity of the fracture networks have a dominant effect on the fluid flow patterns.The research results can provide a new geological model and analysis model for numerical simulation and engineering analysis of jointed rock mass.展开更多
This study at the Esmeralda Mine,part of the El Teniente Division of CODELCO,investigates optimizing hydraulic fracturing(HF)holes’spatial distribution to improve rock material production in one of the world's la...This study at the Esmeralda Mine,part of the El Teniente Division of CODELCO,investigates optimizing hydraulic fracturing(HF)holes’spatial distribution to improve rock material production in one of the world's largest copper-molybdenum deposits.Utilizing diverse data sources,including borehole,oriented borehole,and photogrammetry data,along with hang-up frequency and hydrofracturing details,we applied discrete fracture network(DFN)modeling to analyze in-situ block size distribution and fragmentation.These results are based on 12,000 realizations of discrete fracture network(DFN)models using R-Dis-Frag computer pacakge at real cave volumes of 200 m200 m200 m,with varying parameters,which significantly enhances their reliability.The incorporation of DFN modeling and geostatistical simulation allows for capturing the interaction berween several spatial variables and explaining the variations observed in the production results at the draw points.Keyfindings of spatio-statistical analysis highlight the significance of volumetric fracture intensity(P32)and extraction column height in reducing hang-up events and enhancing fragmentation efficiency.The study integrates HF-induced and natural fracture intensities,revealing that higher P32 values and higher draw columns correlate with fewer hang-ups and better fragmentation.We recommend non-regular HF patterns for high P32 zones to improve operational efficiency.This research provides insights into optimizing mining operations,acknowledging the limitations of HF propagation efficacy and paving the way for further exploration into the interplay between hydraulic fracturing and natural discontinuities.展开更多
As the dominant seepage channel in rock masses,it is of great significance to study the influence of fracture roughness distribution on seepage and heat transfer in rock masses.In this paper,the fracture roughness dis...As the dominant seepage channel in rock masses,it is of great significance to study the influence of fracture roughness distribution on seepage and heat transfer in rock masses.In this paper,the fracture roughness distribution functions of the Bakhtiary dam site and Oskarshamn/Forsmark mountain were fitted using statistical methods.The COMSOL Multiphysics finite element software was utilized to analyze the effects of fracture roughness distribution types and empirical formulas for fracture hydraulic aperture on the seepage field and temperature field of rock masses.The results show that:(1)The fracture roughness at the Bakhtiary dam site and Oskarshamn/Forsmark mountain follows lognormal and normal distributions,respectively;(2)For rock masses with the same expected value and standard deviation of fracture roughness,the outflow from rock masses with lognormal distribution of fracture roughness is significantly larger than that of rock masses with normal distribution of fracture roughness;(3)The fracture hydraulic aperture,outflow,and cold front distance of the Li and Jiang model are significantly larger than those of the Barton model;(4)The outflow,hydraulic pressure distribution,and temperature distribution of the Barton model are more sensitive to the fracture roughness distribution type than those of the Li and Jiang model.展开更多
Based on the finite element-discrete element numerical method,a numerical model of fracture propagation in deflagration fracturing was established by considering the impact of stress wave,quasi-static pressure of expl...Based on the finite element-discrete element numerical method,a numerical model of fracture propagation in deflagration fracturing was established by considering the impact of stress wave,quasi-static pressure of explosive gas,and reflection of stress wave.The model was validated against the results of physical experiments.Taking the shale reservoirs of Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Luzhou area of the Sichuan Basin as an example,the effects of in-situ stress difference,natural fracture parameters,branch wellbore spacing,delay detonation time,and angle between branch wellbore and main wellbore on fracture propagation were identified.The results show that the fracture propagation morphology in deflagration fracturing is less affected by the in-situ stress difference when it is 5-15 MPa,and the tendency of fracture intersection between branch wellbores is significantly weakened when the in-situ stress difference reaches 20 MPa.The increase of natural fracture length promotes the fracture propagation along the natural fracture direction,while the increase of volumetric natural fracture density and angle limits the fracture propagation area and reduces the probability of fracture intersection between branch wells.The larger the branch wellbore spacing,the less probability of the fracture intersection between branch wells,allowing for the fracture propagation in multiple directions.Increasing the delay detonation time decreases the fracture spacing between branch wellbores.When the angle between the branch wellbore and the main wellbore is 45°and 90°,there is a tendency of fracture intersection between branch wellbores.展开更多
Natural fracture data from one of the Carboniferous shale masses in the eastern Qaidam Basin were used to establish a stochastic model of a discrete fracture network and to perform discrete element simulation research...Natural fracture data from one of the Carboniferous shale masses in the eastern Qaidam Basin were used to establish a stochastic model of a discrete fracture network and to perform discrete element simulation research on the size efect and mechanical parameters of shale.Analytical solutions of fctitious joints in transversely isotropic media were derived,which made it possible for the proposed numerical model to simulate the bedding and natural fractures in shale masses.The results indicate that there are two main factors infuencing the representative elementary volume(REV)size of a shale mass.The frst and most decisive factor is the presence of natural fractures in the block itself.The second is the anisotropy ratio:the greater the anisotropy is,the larger the REV.The bedding angle has little infuence on the REV size,whereas it has a certain infuence on the mechanical parameters of the rock mass.When the bedding angle approaches the average orientation of the natural fractures,the mechanical parameters of the shale blocks decrease greatly.The REV representing the mechanical properties of the Carboniferous shale masses in the eastern Qaidam Basin were comprehensively identifed by considering the infuence of bedding and natural fractures.When the numerical model size is larger than the REV,the fractured rock mass discontinuities can be transformed into equivalent continuities,which provides a method for simulating shale with natural fractures and bedding to analyze the stability of a borehole wall in shale.展开更多
Prediction of radon flux from the fractured zone of a propagating cave mine is basically associated with uncertainty and complexity. For instance, there is restricted access to these zones for field measure- ments, an...Prediction of radon flux from the fractured zone of a propagating cave mine is basically associated with uncertainty and complexity. For instance, there is restricted access to these zones for field measure- ments, and it is quite difficult to replicate the complex nature of both natural and induced fractures in these zones in laboratory studies. Hence, a technique for predicting radon flux from a fractured rock using a discrete fracture network （DFN） model is developed to address these difficulties. This model quantifies the contribution of fractures to the total radon flux, and estimates the fracture density from a measured radon flux considering the effects of advection, diffusion, as well as radon generation and decay. Radon generation and decay are classified as reaction processes. Therefore, the equation solved is termed as the advection-diffusion-reaction equation （ADRE）. Peclet number （Pe）, a conventional dimensionless parameter that indicates the ratio of mass transport by advection to diffusion, is used to classify the transport regimes. The results show that the proposed model effectively predicts radon flux from a fractured rock. An increase in fracture density for a rock sample with uniformly distributed radon generation rate can elevate radon flux significantly compared with another rock sample with an equivalent increase in radon generation rate. In addition to Pe, two other independent dimensionless parameters （derived for radon transport through fractures） significantly affect radon dimensionless flux. Findings provide insight into radon transport through fractured rocks and can be used to improve radon control measures for proactive mitigation.展开更多
The generation method of three-dimensional fractal discrete fracture network(FDFN)based on multiplicative cascade process was developed.The complex multi-scale fracture system in shale after fracturing was characteriz...The generation method of three-dimensional fractal discrete fracture network(FDFN)based on multiplicative cascade process was developed.The complex multi-scale fracture system in shale after fracturing was characterized by coupling the artificial fracture model and the natural fracture model.Based on an assisted history matching(AHM)using multiple-proxy-based Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm(MCMC),an embedded discrete fracture modeling(EDFM)incorporated with reservoir simulator was used to predict productivity of shale gas well.When using the natural fracture generation method,the distribution of natural fracture network can be controlled by fractal parameters,and the natural fracture network generated coupling with artificial fractures can characterize the complex system of different-scale fractures in shale after fracturing.The EDFM,with fewer grids and less computation time consumption,can characterize the attributes of natural fractures and artificial fractures flexibly,and simulate the details of mass transfer between matrix cells and fractures while reducing computation significantly.The combination of AMH and EDFM can lower the uncertainty of reservoir and fracture parameters,and realize effective inversion of key reservoir and fracture parameters and the productivity forecast of shale gas wells.Application demonstrates the results from the proposed productivity prediction model integrating FDFN,EDFM and AHM have high credibility.展开更多
Obtaining a comprehensive understanding of solute transport in fractured rocks is crucial for various geoengineering applications,including waste disposal and construction of geo-energy infrastructure.It was realized ...Obtaining a comprehensive understanding of solute transport in fractured rocks is crucial for various geoengineering applications,including waste disposal and construction of geo-energy infrastructure.It was realized that solute transport in fractured rocks is con-trolled by stochastic discrete fracture-matrix systems.However,the impacts and specific uncertainty caused by fracture network struc-tures on solute transport in discrete fracture-matrix systems have yet not been fully understood.In this article,we aim to investigate the influence of fracture network structure on solute transport in stochastic discrete fracture-matrix systems.The fluid flow and solute trans-port are simulated using a three-dimensional discrete fracture matrix model with considering various values of fracture density and size(i.e.,radius).The obtained results reveal that as the fracture density or minimum fracture radius increases,the corresponding fluid flow and solute transport channels increase,and the solute concentration distribution range expands in the matrix.This phenomenon,attrib-uted to the enhanced connectivity of the fracture network,leads to a rise in the effluent solute concentration mean value from 0.422 to 0.704,or from 0.496 to 0.689.Furthermore,when solute transport reached a steady state,the coefficient of variation of effluent concen-tration decreases with the increasing fracture density or minimum fracture radius in different scenarios,indicating an improvement in the homogeneity of solute transport results.The presented analysis results of solute transport in stochastic discrete fracture-matrix systems can be helpful for uncertainty management in the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste.展开更多
Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P...Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P w)and pore pressure(P p)during drilling,which may cause wellbore instability.However,the weakening of fracture strength due to mud intrusion is not considered in most existing borehole stability analyses,which may yield significant errors and misleading predictions.In addition,only limited factors were analyzed,and the fracture distribution was oversimplified.In this paper,the impacts of mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening on borehole stability in fractured rocks under both isotropic and anisotropic stress states are investigated using a coupled DEM(distinct element method)and DFN(discrete fracture network)method.It provides estimates of the effect of fracture strength weakening,wellbore pressure,in situ stresses,and sealing efficiency on borehole stability.The results show that mud intrusion and weakening of fracture strength can damage the borehole.This is demonstrated by the large displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on natural fractures,and the generation of fracture at shear limit.Mud intrusion reduces the shear strength of the fracture surface and leads to shear failure,which explains that the increase in mud weight may worsen borehole stability during overbalanced drilling in fractured formations.A higher in situ stress anisotropy exerts a significant influence on the mechanism of shear failure distribution around the wellbore.Moreover,the effect of sealing natural fractures on maintaining borehole stability is verified in this study,and the increase in sealing efficiency reduces the radial invasion distance of drilling mud.This study provides a directly quantitative prediction method of borehole instability in naturally fractured formations,which can consider the discrete fracture network,mud intrusion,and associated weakening of fracture strength.The information provided by the numerical approach(e.g.displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on fracture,and fracture at shear limit)is helpful for managing wellbore stability and designing wellbore-strengthening operations.展开更多
In this paper,we develop a two-dimensional(2D)numerical model based on the finite element method to analyse the impact of fracture networks on the behaviour of pressurised lined rock caverns(LRCs).We use the discrete ...In this paper,we develop a two-dimensional(2D)numerical model based on the finite element method to analyse the impact of fracture networks on the behaviour of pressurised lined rock caverns(LRCs).We use the discrete fracture network approach to represent the fracture system in rock obeying a power law length distribution.The LRC consisting of an inner steel lining and an outer reinforced concrete is situated within the rock mass characterised by spatially distributed and intersected fractures.An elasto-brittle constitutive relationship is adopted to characterise the deformation/failure of intact rocks,while the classical Mazars damage model is used to simulate the cracking of concrete linings.For pre-existing fractures in rock,a non-linear stress-displacement formulation is implemented to capture their normal and shear deformations.The 2D model,representing the horizontal cross-section of an LRC with its surrounding rock mass,is subject to a prescribed in situ stress condition.We explore various fracture network scenarios associated with different values of power law length exponent and fracture intensity.We analyse the damage evolution in rock/concrete and tangential strain in the concrete/steel linings.It is found that the damage within the rock mass mainly evolves in the form of wing cracks that emanate from the tips of pre-existing fractures.For damage development in the concrete lining,it is primarily induced by tensile cracking under cavern pressurisation.The damage emerges in the lining sections where pre-existing fractures are located in the tensile region around the cavern and either intersect with the cavern wall or could reach the cavern wall by promoting wing crack propagation.The results and insights obtained from our study have significant implications for the design optimisation and performance assessment of LRCs for sustainable hydrogen storage.展开更多
The discrete fracture system of a rock mass plays a crucial role in controlling the stability of rock slopes.To fully account for the geometric shape and distribution characteristics of jointed rock masses,terrestrial...The discrete fracture system of a rock mass plays a crucial role in controlling the stability of rock slopes.To fully account for the geometric shape and distribution characteristics of jointed rock masses,terrestrial laser scanning(TLS)was employed to acquire high-resolution point-cloud data,and a developed automatic discontinuity-identification technology was coupled to automatically interpret and characterize geometric information such as orientation,trace length,spacing,and set number of the discontinuities.The discrete element method(DEM)was applied to study the influence of the geometric morphology and distribution characteristics of discontinuities on slope stability by generating a discrete fracture network(DFN)with the same statistical characteristics as the actual discontinuities.Based on slope data from the Yebatan Hydropower Station,a simulation was conducted to verify the applicability of the automatic discontinuity identification technology and the discrete fracture network-discrete element method(DFN-DEM).Various geological parameters,including trace length,persistence,and density,were examined to investigate the morphological evolution and response characteristics of rock slope excavation under different joint combination conditions through simulation.The simulation results indicate that joint parameters affect slope stability,with density having the most significant impact.The impact of joint parameters on stability is relatively small within a reasonable range but becomes significant beyond a certain threshold,further validating that the accuracy of field geological surveys is critical for simulation.This study provides a scientific basis for the construction of complex rock slope models,engineering assessments,and disaster prevention and mitigation,which is of great value in both theory and engineering applications.展开更多
Deep underground excavations within hard rocks can result in damage to the surrounding rock mass mostly due to redistribution of stresses.Especially within rock masses with non-persistent joints,the role of the pre-ex...Deep underground excavations within hard rocks can result in damage to the surrounding rock mass mostly due to redistribution of stresses.Especially within rock masses with non-persistent joints,the role of the pre-existing joints in the damage evolution around the underground opening is of critical importance as they govern the fracturing mechanisms and influence the brittle responses of these hard rock masses under highly anisotropic in situ stresses.In this study,the main focus is the impact of joint network geometry,joint strength and applied field stresses on the rock mass behaviours and the evolution of excavation induced damage due to the loss of confinement as a tunnel face advances.Analysis of such a phenomenon was conducted using the finite-discrete element method(FDEM).The numerical model is initially calibrated in order to match the behaviour of the fracture-free,massive Lac du Bonnet granite during the excavation of the Underground Research Laboratory(URL)Test Tunnel,Canada.The influence of the pre-existing joints on the rock mass response during excavation is investigated by integrating discrete fracture networks(DFNs)of various characteristics into the numerical models under varying in situ stresses.The numerical results obtained highlight the significance of the pre-existing joints on the reduction of in situ rock mass strength and its capacity for extension with both factors controlling the brittle response of the material.Furthermore,the impact of spatial distribution of natural joints on the stability of an underground excavation is discussed,as well as the potentially minor influence of joint strength on the stress induced damage within joint systems of a non-persistent nature under specific conditions.Additionally,the in situ stress-joint network interaction is examined,revealing the complex fracturing mechanisms that may lead to uncontrolled fracture propagation that compromises the overall stability of an underground excavation.展开更多
Since natural fractures are often non-equidimensional,the circular disc model still has great limitations.By contrast,the elliptical disc model is more applicable to representing natural fractures,especially for slend...Since natural fractures are often non-equidimensional,the circular disc model still has great limitations.By contrast,the elliptical disc model is more applicable to representing natural fractures,especially for slender ones.This paper developed a universal elliptical disc(UED)model by incorporating the center point,size,and azimuth of fractures as variables.Specifically,with respect to the azimuth of elliptical fractures in three-dimensional(3D)space,we proposed a paradigm to construct its probability density function(PDF)by coupling the orientation and rotation angle of long axis based on three coordinate transformations.To illustrate the construction process of the PDF of the fracture azimuth,we took the orientation following the Fisher distribution and the rotation angle following Von Mises distribution as an example.A rock slope is used to show the use of the developed UED model,and the 3D DFNs for the slope rock mass are generated by Monte Carlo simulation.In addition,the DFNs for the rock mass are also generated based on the existing circular disc model and non-universal elliptical disc model.The comparison results from the three models clearly illustrate the superiority of the UED model over the existing circular and non-universal elliptical disc models.展开更多
基金Australian Research Council Linkage Program(LP200301404)for sponsoring this researchthe financial support provided by the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection(Chengdu University of Technology,SKLGP2021K002)National Natural Science Foundation of China(52374101,32111530138).
文摘Discrete fracture network(DFN)commonly existing in natural rock masses plays an important role in geological complexity which can influence rock fracturing behaviour during fluid injection.This paper simulated the hydraulic fracturing process in lab-scale coal samples with DFNs and the induced seismic activities by the discrete element method(DEM).The effects of DFNs on hydraulic fracturing,induced seismicity and elastic property changes have been concluded.Denser DFNs can comprehensively decrease the peak injection pressure and injection duration.The proportion of strong seismic events increases first and then decreases with increasing DFN density.In addition,the relative modulus of the rock mass is derived innovatively from breakdown pressure,breakdown fracture length and the related initiation time.Increasing DFN densities among large(35–60 degrees)and small(0–30 degrees)fracture dip angles show opposite evolution trends in relative modulus.The transitional point(dip angle)for the opposite trends is also proportionally affected by the friction angle of the rock mass.The modelling results have much practical meaning to infer the density and geometry of pre-existing fractures and the elastic property of rock mass in the field,simply based on the hydraulic fracturing and induced seismicity monitoring data.
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42320104003,42177175,and 42077247)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
文摘Accurate prediction of hydraulic fracture propagation is vital for Enhanced Geothermal System(EGS)design.We study the first hydraulic fracturing job at the GR1 well in the Gonghe Basin using field data,where the overall direction of hydraulic fractures does not show a delineated shape parallel to the maximum principal stress orientation.A field-scale numerical model based on the distinct element method is set up to carry out a fully coupled hydromechanical simulation,with the explicit representation of natural fractures via the discrete fracture network(DFN)approach.The effects of injection parameters and in situ stress on hydraulic fracture patterns are then quantitatively assessed.The study reveals that shear-induced deformation primarily governs the fracturing morphology in the GR1 well,driven by smaller injection rates and viscosities that promote massive activation of natural fractures,ultimately dominating the direction of hydraulic fracturing.Furthermore,the increase of in situ differential stress may promote shear damage of natural fracture surfaces,with the exact influence pattern depending on the combination of specific discontinuity properties and in situ stress state.Finally,we provide recommendations for EGS fracturing based on the influence characteristics of multiple parameters.This study can serve as an effective basis and reference for the design and optimization of EGS in the Gonghe basin and other sites.
基金Kinross Gold and MITACS for their financial support(Grant No.FR42880).
文摘The goal of this research is to develop mine-scale discrete fracture network(DFN)models in which the influence of the spatial heterogeneity of fracture distributions may be investigated on the rock wedge stability of an open pit slope.For this purpose,spatially conditioned DFN models were developed for the pit walls at Tasiast mine using comprehensive structural data from the mine.Using Sequential Gaussian Simulation(SGS),volumetric fracture intensities(P32)were modeled across the entire mine site in the form of 3D block models.The simulated P32 block models were used as the input constraints for conditional DFN fracture generation,where the DFN grid dimension is the same as the SGS 3D blocks.The spatially constrained DFN models were further calibrated using aerial fracture intensities(P21)data from the pit walls,obtained by a survey of the pit walls using an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)and measured traces of joints from 3D point cloud data.The final DFN model is expected to honor the fracture intensities gathered through different means with optimal model accuracy.Finally,bench-scale and interramp scale rock wedge slope stability analyses were conducted using the calibrated conditional DFN models.This work proves the significance of conditioned DFN models in rock wedge stability analysis.Such models provide detailed information regarding rock wedge stability so that site monitoring and prevention plans can be conducted with higher efficiency.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52074312 and 52211530097)CNPC Science and Technology Innovation Foundation(Grant No.2021DQ02-0505).
文摘Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout analyses were based on continuum mechanics.In addition to failure in intact rocks,wellbore breakouts can also be initiated along natural discontinuities,e.g.weak planes and fractures.Furthermore,the conventional models in wellbore breakouts with uniform distribution fractures could not reflect the real drilling situation.This paper presents a fully coupled hydro-mechanical model of the SB-X well in the Tarim Basin,China for evaluating wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks under anisotropic stress states using the distinct element method(DEM)and the discrete fracture network(DFN).The developed model was validated against caliper log measurement,and its stability study was carried out by stress and displacement analyses.A parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of the characteristics of fracture distribution(orientation and length)on borehole stability by sensitivity studies.Simulation results demonstrate that the increase of the standard deviation of orientation when the fracture direction aligns parallel or perpendicular to the principal stress direction aggravates borehole instability.Moreover,an elevation in the average fracture length causes the borehole failure to change from the direction of the minimum in-situ horizontal principal stress(i.e.the direction of wellbore breakouts)towards alternative directions,ultimately leading to the whole wellbore failure.These findings provide theoretical insights for predicting wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks.
基金sponsored by the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52079129 and 52209148)the Hubei Provincial General Fund,China(Grant No.2023AFB567)。
文摘Analyzing rock mass seepage using the discrete fracture network(DFN)flow model poses challenges when dealing with complex fracture networks.This paper presents a novel DFN flow model that incorporates the actual connections of large-scale fractures.Notably,this model efficiently manages over 20,000 fractures without necessitating adjustments to the DFN geometry.All geometric analyses,such as identifying connected fractures,dividing the two-dimensional domain into closed loops,triangulating arbitrary loops,and refining triangular elements,are fully automated.The analysis processes are comprehensively introduced,and core algorithms,along with their pseudo-codes,are outlined and explained to assist readers in their programming endeavors.The accuracy of geometric analyses is validated through topological graphs representing the connection relationships between fractures.In practical application,the proposed model is employed to assess the water-sealing effectiveness of an underground storage cavern project.The analysis results indicate that the existing design scheme can effectively prevent the stored oil from leaking in the presence of both dense and sparse fractures.Furthermore,following extensive modification and optimization,the scale and precision of model computation suggest that the proposed model and developed codes can meet the requirements of engineering applications.
基金co-supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant No.2011CB201103)the National Science and Technology Major Project(GrantNo.2011ZX05004003)
文摘Fractured reservoirs are an important target for oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin and the prediction of this type of reservoir is challenging.Due to the complicated fracture system in the Tarim Basin,the conventional AVO inversion method based on HTI theory to predict fracture development will result in some errors.Thus,an integrated research concept for fractured reservoir prediction is put forward in this paper.Seismic modeling plays a bridging role in this concept,and the establishment of an anisotropic fracture model by Discrete Fracture Network （DFN） is the key part.Because the fracture system in the Tarim Basin shows complex anisotropic characteristics,it is vital to build an effective anisotropic model.Based on geological,well logging and seismic data,an effective anisotropic model of complex fracture systems can be set up with the DFN method.The effective elastic coefficients,and the input data for seismic modeling can be calculated.Then seismic modeling based on this model is performed,and the seismic response characteristics are analyzed.The modeling results can be used in the following AVO inversion for fracture detection.
文摘Heterogeneity is an inherent component of rock and may be present in different forms including mineralheterogeneity, geometrical heterogeneity, weak grain boundaries and micro-defects. Microcracks areusually observed in crystalline rocks in two forms： natural and stress-induced; the amount of stressinducedmicrocracking increases with depth and in-situ stress. Laboratory results indicate that thephysical properties of rocks such as strength, deformability, P-wave velocity and permeability areinfluenced by increase in microcrack intensity. In this study, the finite-discrete element method （FDEM）is used to model microcrack heterogeneity by introducing into a model sample sets of microcracks usingthe proposed micro discrete fracture network （mDFN） approach. The characteristics of the microcracksrequired to create mDFN models are obtained through image analyses of thin sections of Lac du Bonnetgranite adopted from published literature. A suite of two-dimensional laboratory tests including uniaxial,triaxial compression and Brazilian tests is simulated and the results are compared with laboratory data.The FDEM-mDFN models indicate that micro-heterogeneity has a profound influence on both the mechanicalbehavior and resultant fracture pattern. An increase in the microcrack intensity leads to areduction in the strength of the sample and changes the character of the rock strength envelope. Spallingand axial splitting dominate the failure mode at low confinement while shear failure is the dominantfailure mode at high confinement. Numerical results from simulated compression tests show thatmicrocracking reduces the cohesive component of strength alone, and the frictional strength componentremains unaffected. Results from simulated Brazilian tests show that the tensile strength is influenced bythe presence of microcracks, with a reduction in tensile strength as microcrack intensity increases. Theimportance of microcrack heterogeneity in reproducing a bi-linear or S-shape failure envelope and itseffects on the mechanisms leading to spalling damage near an underground opening are also discussed.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFC2900500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52074020 and 42202306)+2 种基金the Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Water Resource Protection and Utilization in Coal Mining(No.WPUKFJJ2019-06)the Interdisciplinary Research Project for Young Teachers of USTB(Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities)(No.FRF-IDRY-21001)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,China(No.BK20200993).
文摘Structure plane is one of the important factors affecting the stability and failure mode of rock mass engineering.Rock mass structure characterization is the basic work of rock mechanics research and the important content of numerical simulation.A new 3-dimensional rough discrete fracture network(RDFN3D)model and its modeling method based on the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot(W-M)function were presented in this paper.The RDFN3D model,which improves and unifies the modelling methods for the complex structural planes,has been realized.The influence of fractal dimension,amplitude,and surface precision on the modeling parameters of RDFN3D was discussed.The reasonable W-M parameters suitable for the roughness coefficient of JRC were proposed,and the relationship between the mathematical model and the joint characterization was established.The RDFN3D together with the smooth 3-dimensional discrete fracture network(DFN3D)models were successfully exported to the drawing exchange format,which will provide a wide application in numerous numerical simulation codes including both the continuous and discontinuous methods.The numerical models were discussed using the COMSOL Multiphysics code and the 3-dimensional particle flow code,respectively.The reliability of the RDFN3D model was preliminarily discussed and analyzed.The roughness and spatial connectivity of the fracture networks have a dominant effect on the fluid flow patterns.The research results can provide a new geological model and analysis model for numerical simulation and engineering analysis of jointed rock mass.
基金the funding of the Agencia Nacional de Investigación y 761 Desarrollo (ANID), through grant project of Fondecyt Iniciacion No. 11221093Basal Grants Center for Modeling ACE210010 and FB210005
文摘This study at the Esmeralda Mine,part of the El Teniente Division of CODELCO,investigates optimizing hydraulic fracturing(HF)holes’spatial distribution to improve rock material production in one of the world's largest copper-molybdenum deposits.Utilizing diverse data sources,including borehole,oriented borehole,and photogrammetry data,along with hang-up frequency and hydrofracturing details,we applied discrete fracture network(DFN)modeling to analyze in-situ block size distribution and fragmentation.These results are based on 12,000 realizations of discrete fracture network(DFN)models using R-Dis-Frag computer pacakge at real cave volumes of 200 m200 m200 m,with varying parameters,which significantly enhances their reliability.The incorporation of DFN modeling and geostatistical simulation allows for capturing the interaction berween several spatial variables and explaining the variations observed in the production results at the draw points.Keyfindings of spatio-statistical analysis highlight the significance of volumetric fracture intensity(P32)and extraction column height in reducing hang-up events and enhancing fragmentation efficiency.The study integrates HF-induced and natural fracture intensities,revealing that higher P32 values and higher draw columns correlate with fewer hang-ups and better fragmentation.We recommend non-regular HF patterns for high P32 zones to improve operational efficiency.This research provides insights into optimizing mining operations,acknowledging the limitations of HF propagation efficacy and paving the way for further exploration into the interplay between hydraulic fracturing and natural discontinuities.
基金College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project of Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic(2025CXCY015)。
文摘As the dominant seepage channel in rock masses,it is of great significance to study the influence of fracture roughness distribution on seepage and heat transfer in rock masses.In this paper,the fracture roughness distribution functions of the Bakhtiary dam site and Oskarshamn/Forsmark mountain were fitted using statistical methods.The COMSOL Multiphysics finite element software was utilized to analyze the effects of fracture roughness distribution types and empirical formulas for fracture hydraulic aperture on the seepage field and temperature field of rock masses.The results show that:(1)The fracture roughness at the Bakhtiary dam site and Oskarshamn/Forsmark mountain follows lognormal and normal distributions,respectively;(2)For rock masses with the same expected value and standard deviation of fracture roughness,the outflow from rock masses with lognormal distribution of fracture roughness is significantly larger than that of rock masses with normal distribution of fracture roughness;(3)The fracture hydraulic aperture,outflow,and cold front distance of the Li and Jiang model are significantly larger than those of the Barton model;(4)The outflow,hydraulic pressure distribution,and temperature distribution of the Barton model are more sensitive to the fracture roughness distribution type than those of the Li and Jiang model.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52374004)National Key R&D Program of China(2023YFF0614102,2023YFE0110900).
文摘Based on the finite element-discrete element numerical method,a numerical model of fracture propagation in deflagration fracturing was established by considering the impact of stress wave,quasi-static pressure of explosive gas,and reflection of stress wave.The model was validated against the results of physical experiments.Taking the shale reservoirs of Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Luzhou area of the Sichuan Basin as an example,the effects of in-situ stress difference,natural fracture parameters,branch wellbore spacing,delay detonation time,and angle between branch wellbore and main wellbore on fracture propagation were identified.The results show that the fracture propagation morphology in deflagration fracturing is less affected by the in-situ stress difference when it is 5-15 MPa,and the tendency of fracture intersection between branch wellbores is significantly weakened when the in-situ stress difference reaches 20 MPa.The increase of natural fracture length promotes the fracture propagation along the natural fracture direction,while the increase of volumetric natural fracture density and angle limits the fracture propagation area and reduces the probability of fracture intersection between branch wells.The larger the branch wellbore spacing,the less probability of the fracture intersection between branch wells,allowing for the fracture propagation in multiple directions.Increasing the delay detonation time decreases the fracture spacing between branch wellbores.When the angle between the branch wellbore and the main wellbore is 45°and 90°,there is a tendency of fracture intersection between branch wellbores.
基金support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51604275)the Key Laboratory of Urban Under Ground Engineering of Ministry of Education(TUE2018-01)+1 种基金Yue Qi Young Scholar Project of China University of Mining&Technology,Beijingthe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2016QL02).
文摘Natural fracture data from one of the Carboniferous shale masses in the eastern Qaidam Basin were used to establish a stochastic model of a discrete fracture network and to perform discrete element simulation research on the size efect and mechanical parameters of shale.Analytical solutions of fctitious joints in transversely isotropic media were derived,which made it possible for the proposed numerical model to simulate the bedding and natural fractures in shale masses.The results indicate that there are two main factors infuencing the representative elementary volume(REV)size of a shale mass.The frst and most decisive factor is the presence of natural fractures in the block itself.The second is the anisotropy ratio:the greater the anisotropy is,the larger the REV.The bedding angle has little infuence on the REV size,whereas it has a certain infuence on the mechanical parameters of the rock mass.When the bedding angle approaches the average orientation of the natural fractures,the mechanical parameters of the shale blocks decrease greatly.The REV representing the mechanical properties of the Carboniferous shale masses in the eastern Qaidam Basin were comprehensively identifed by considering the infuence of bedding and natural fractures.When the numerical model size is larger than the REV,the fractured rock mass discontinuities can be transformed into equivalent continuities,which provides a method for simulating shale with natural fractures and bedding to analyze the stability of a borehole wall in shale.
基金the financial support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)(200-2014-59613)for conducting this research
文摘Prediction of radon flux from the fractured zone of a propagating cave mine is basically associated with uncertainty and complexity. For instance, there is restricted access to these zones for field measure- ments, and it is quite difficult to replicate the complex nature of both natural and induced fractures in these zones in laboratory studies. Hence, a technique for predicting radon flux from a fractured rock using a discrete fracture network （DFN） model is developed to address these difficulties. This model quantifies the contribution of fractures to the total radon flux, and estimates the fracture density from a measured radon flux considering the effects of advection, diffusion, as well as radon generation and decay. Radon generation and decay are classified as reaction processes. Therefore, the equation solved is termed as the advection-diffusion-reaction equation （ADRE）. Peclet number （Pe）, a conventional dimensionless parameter that indicates the ratio of mass transport by advection to diffusion, is used to classify the transport regimes. The results show that the proposed model effectively predicts radon flux from a fractured rock. An increase in fracture density for a rock sample with uniformly distributed radon generation rate can elevate radon flux significantly compared with another rock sample with an equivalent increase in radon generation rate. In addition to Pe, two other independent dimensionless parameters （derived for radon transport through fractures） significantly affect radon dimensionless flux. Findings provide insight into radon transport through fractured rocks and can be used to improve radon control measures for proactive mitigation.
基金Supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project(2017ZX05063-005)Science and Technology Development Project of PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development(YGJ2019-12-04)。
文摘The generation method of three-dimensional fractal discrete fracture network(FDFN)based on multiplicative cascade process was developed.The complex multi-scale fracture system in shale after fracturing was characterized by coupling the artificial fracture model and the natural fracture model.Based on an assisted history matching(AHM)using multiple-proxy-based Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm(MCMC),an embedded discrete fracture modeling(EDFM)incorporated with reservoir simulator was used to predict productivity of shale gas well.When using the natural fracture generation method,the distribution of natural fracture network can be controlled by fractal parameters,and the natural fracture network generated coupling with artificial fractures can characterize the complex system of different-scale fractures in shale after fracturing.The EDFM,with fewer grids and less computation time consumption,can characterize the attributes of natural fractures and artificial fractures flexibly,and simulate the details of mass transfer between matrix cells and fractures while reducing computation significantly.The combination of AMH and EDFM can lower the uncertainty of reservoir and fracture parameters,and realize effective inversion of key reservoir and fracture parameters and the productivity forecast of shale gas wells.Application demonstrates the results from the proposed productivity prediction model integrating FDFN,EDFM and AHM have high credibility.
基金support from research grants provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42302303 and 42277128)the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.ZCLQ24D0201).
文摘Obtaining a comprehensive understanding of solute transport in fractured rocks is crucial for various geoengineering applications,including waste disposal and construction of geo-energy infrastructure.It was realized that solute transport in fractured rocks is con-trolled by stochastic discrete fracture-matrix systems.However,the impacts and specific uncertainty caused by fracture network struc-tures on solute transport in discrete fracture-matrix systems have yet not been fully understood.In this article,we aim to investigate the influence of fracture network structure on solute transport in stochastic discrete fracture-matrix systems.The fluid flow and solute trans-port are simulated using a three-dimensional discrete fracture matrix model with considering various values of fracture density and size(i.e.,radius).The obtained results reveal that as the fracture density or minimum fracture radius increases,the corresponding fluid flow and solute transport channels increase,and the solute concentration distribution range expands in the matrix.This phenomenon,attrib-uted to the enhanced connectivity of the fracture network,leads to a rise in the effluent solute concentration mean value from 0.422 to 0.704,or from 0.496 to 0.689.Furthermore,when solute transport reached a steady state,the coefficient of variation of effluent concen-tration decreases with the increasing fracture density or minimum fracture radius in different scenarios,indicating an improvement in the homogeneity of solute transport results.The presented analysis results of solute transport in stochastic discrete fracture-matrix systems can be helpful for uncertainty management in the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste.
基金financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52074312 and 52211530097)CNPC Science and Technology Innovation Foundation(Grant No.2021DQ02-0505).
文摘Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P w)and pore pressure(P p)during drilling,which may cause wellbore instability.However,the weakening of fracture strength due to mud intrusion is not considered in most existing borehole stability analyses,which may yield significant errors and misleading predictions.In addition,only limited factors were analyzed,and the fracture distribution was oversimplified.In this paper,the impacts of mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening on borehole stability in fractured rocks under both isotropic and anisotropic stress states are investigated using a coupled DEM(distinct element method)and DFN(discrete fracture network)method.It provides estimates of the effect of fracture strength weakening,wellbore pressure,in situ stresses,and sealing efficiency on borehole stability.The results show that mud intrusion and weakening of fracture strength can damage the borehole.This is demonstrated by the large displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on natural fractures,and the generation of fracture at shear limit.Mud intrusion reduces the shear strength of the fracture surface and leads to shear failure,which explains that the increase in mud weight may worsen borehole stability during overbalanced drilling in fractured formations.A higher in situ stress anisotropy exerts a significant influence on the mechanism of shear failure distribution around the wellbore.Moreover,the effect of sealing natural fractures on maintaining borehole stability is verified in this study,and the increase in sealing efficiency reduces the radial invasion distance of drilling mud.This study provides a directly quantitative prediction method of borehole instability in naturally fractured formations,which can consider the discrete fracture network,mud intrusion,and associated weakening of fracture strength.The information provided by the numerical approach(e.g.displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on fracture,and fracture at shear limit)is helpful for managing wellbore stability and designing wellbore-strengthening operations.
基金support from the Nordic Energy Research(Grant No.187658)Zixin Zhang thanks for the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42377146).
文摘In this paper,we develop a two-dimensional(2D)numerical model based on the finite element method to analyse the impact of fracture networks on the behaviour of pressurised lined rock caverns(LRCs).We use the discrete fracture network approach to represent the fracture system in rock obeying a power law length distribution.The LRC consisting of an inner steel lining and an outer reinforced concrete is situated within the rock mass characterised by spatially distributed and intersected fractures.An elasto-brittle constitutive relationship is adopted to characterise the deformation/failure of intact rocks,while the classical Mazars damage model is used to simulate the cracking of concrete linings.For pre-existing fractures in rock,a non-linear stress-displacement formulation is implemented to capture their normal and shear deformations.The 2D model,representing the horizontal cross-section of an LRC with its surrounding rock mass,is subject to a prescribed in situ stress condition.We explore various fracture network scenarios associated with different values of power law length exponent and fracture intensity.We analyse the damage evolution in rock/concrete and tangential strain in the concrete/steel linings.It is found that the damage within the rock mass mainly evolves in the form of wing cracks that emanate from the tips of pre-existing fractures.For damage development in the concrete lining,it is primarily induced by tensile cracking under cavern pressurisation.The damage emerges in the lining sections where pre-existing fractures are located in the tensile region around the cavern and either intersect with the cavern wall or could reach the cavern wall by promoting wing crack propagation.The results and insights obtained from our study have significant implications for the design optimisation and performance assessment of LRCs for sustainable hydrogen storage.
基金We acknowledge the funding support from the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2022YFC3080100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42102316)the opening fund of State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering,Sichuan University(Grant No.SKHL2306).
文摘The discrete fracture system of a rock mass plays a crucial role in controlling the stability of rock slopes.To fully account for the geometric shape and distribution characteristics of jointed rock masses,terrestrial laser scanning(TLS)was employed to acquire high-resolution point-cloud data,and a developed automatic discontinuity-identification technology was coupled to automatically interpret and characterize geometric information such as orientation,trace length,spacing,and set number of the discontinuities.The discrete element method(DEM)was applied to study the influence of the geometric morphology and distribution characteristics of discontinuities on slope stability by generating a discrete fracture network(DFN)with the same statistical characteristics as the actual discontinuities.Based on slope data from the Yebatan Hydropower Station,a simulation was conducted to verify the applicability of the automatic discontinuity identification technology and the discrete fracture network-discrete element method(DFN-DEM).Various geological parameters,including trace length,persistence,and density,were examined to investigate the morphological evolution and response characteristics of rock slope excavation under different joint combination conditions through simulation.The simulation results indicate that joint parameters affect slope stability,with density having the most significant impact.The impact of joint parameters on stability is relatively small within a reasonable range but becomes significant beyond a certain threshold,further validating that the accuracy of field geological surveys is critical for simulation.This study provides a scientific basis for the construction of complex rock slope models,engineering assessments,and disaster prevention and mitigation,which is of great value in both theory and engineering applications.
基金the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canadathe Ministry of National Defensethe RMC Green Team for providing the funding and the resources
文摘Deep underground excavations within hard rocks can result in damage to the surrounding rock mass mostly due to redistribution of stresses.Especially within rock masses with non-persistent joints,the role of the pre-existing joints in the damage evolution around the underground opening is of critical importance as they govern the fracturing mechanisms and influence the brittle responses of these hard rock masses under highly anisotropic in situ stresses.In this study,the main focus is the impact of joint network geometry,joint strength and applied field stresses on the rock mass behaviours and the evolution of excavation induced damage due to the loss of confinement as a tunnel face advances.Analysis of such a phenomenon was conducted using the finite-discrete element method(FDEM).The numerical model is initially calibrated in order to match the behaviour of the fracture-free,massive Lac du Bonnet granite during the excavation of the Underground Research Laboratory(URL)Test Tunnel,Canada.The influence of the pre-existing joints on the rock mass response during excavation is investigated by integrating discrete fracture networks(DFNs)of various characteristics into the numerical models under varying in situ stresses.The numerical results obtained highlight the significance of the pre-existing joints on the reduction of in situ rock mass strength and its capacity for extension with both factors controlling the brittle response of the material.Furthermore,the impact of spatial distribution of natural joints on the stability of an underground excavation is discussed,as well as the potentially minor influence of joint strength on the stress induced damage within joint systems of a non-persistent nature under specific conditions.Additionally,the in situ stress-joint network interaction is examined,revealing the complex fracturing mechanisms that may lead to uncontrolled fracture propagation that compromises the overall stability of an underground excavation.
基金funded by the National Natural Science s of China(No.41972264)the Key R&D Project of Zhejiang Province(No.2021C03159)the Field Scientific Observation&Research Station of Geological Hazard in Zhejiang,Ministry of Natural Resources,China(No.ZJDZGCZ-2021)。
文摘Since natural fractures are often non-equidimensional,the circular disc model still has great limitations.By contrast,the elliptical disc model is more applicable to representing natural fractures,especially for slender ones.This paper developed a universal elliptical disc(UED)model by incorporating the center point,size,and azimuth of fractures as variables.Specifically,with respect to the azimuth of elliptical fractures in three-dimensional(3D)space,we proposed a paradigm to construct its probability density function(PDF)by coupling the orientation and rotation angle of long axis based on three coordinate transformations.To illustrate the construction process of the PDF of the fracture azimuth,we took the orientation following the Fisher distribution and the rotation angle following Von Mises distribution as an example.A rock slope is used to show the use of the developed UED model,and the 3D DFNs for the slope rock mass are generated by Monte Carlo simulation.In addition,the DFNs for the rock mass are also generated based on the existing circular disc model and non-universal elliptical disc model.The comparison results from the three models clearly illustrate the superiority of the UED model over the existing circular and non-universal elliptical disc models.
