Stress-Dependent Fluid Flow and Permeability in Fractured Media: from Lab Experiments to Engineering Applications

Summary. Permeability is a physical property in rocks of extreme importance in energy engineering, civil and environmental engineering, and various areas of geology. Early on, fractures in fluid flow models were assumed to be rigid. However, experimental research and field data confirmed that stress-deformation behavior in fractures is a key factor governing their permeability tensor. Although extensive research was conducted in the past, the three-dimensional stress-permeability relationships, particularly in the inelastic deformation stage, still remain unclear. In this paper, laboratory experiments conducted on large concrete blocks with randomly distributed fractures and rock core samples are reported to investigate fluid flow and permeability variations under uniaxial, biaxial and triaxial complete stress-strain process. Experimental relationships among flowrate, permeability and fracture aperture in the fractured media are investigated. Results show that the flowrate and stress/aperture exhibit “cubic law” relationship for the randomly distributed fractures. A permeability-aperture relationship is proposed according to the experimental results. Based on this relationship, stress-dependent permeability in a set of fractures is derived in a three-dimensional domain by using a coupled stress and matrix-fracture interactive model. A double porosity finite element model is extended by incorporating such stress-dependent permeability effects. The proposed model is applied to examine permeability variations induced by stress redistributions for an inclined borehole excavated in a naturally fractured formation. The results indicate that permeability around underground openings depends strongly on stress changes and orientations of the natural fractures.     

Engineering characteristics of Ankara Greywacke under the foundation of the Beytepe open air theatre,Ankara, Turkey

The construction of a large open air theatre having with an audience capacity of 7,000 is planned at the Beytepe Campus of Hacettepe University located near Ankara, Turkey, in the heart of Anatolia. The foundation of the open air theatre is composed of weak and heavily jointed Ankara Greywacke. An estimation of the strength and deformation of the Ankara Greywacke was required for assessments of short- and long-term stability. Accordingly, rock mass characterization of the Ankara Greywacke was investigated in detail by scan-line surveys and back-analyses of in situ tests performed on the excavated surface of the rock mass. The final version of the Hoek and Brown Criterion (Hoek et al., In: Proceedings of the north American rock mechanics society meeting, Toronto, Canada, pp 1–6, 2002) together with and improvements proposed by Sonmez and Gokceoglu (Int J Rock Mech Min Sci, 43:671–676, 2006) were considered together for the back analyses of small slope benches subjected to plate loading test loaded to failure. In addition, the plate loading test data were used with some well-known empirical equations for predicting of deformation modulus of rock masses to calculate ranges of values of the Geological Strength Index (GSI) The static and pseudostatic slope stabilities of the audience seating structures to be supported by benches excavated into the rock were also analyzed. The stability assessments revealed the unlikelihood of large rock mass failures for the short-term construction stages or for the long-term, as-constructed conditions under static or pseudo-static conditions. Additionally, the analyses showed that there was no need for anchors between the concrete seating structures and greywacke rock mass.     

Stability analysis and optimization of the support system of an underground powerhouse cavern considering rock mass variability

Input parameters, such as rock mass strength parameters and deformation modulus, considered in the design of underground openings involve some uncertainty. The current uncertainty in these parameters is due to the inherent variability of these parameters. To quantify these parameters and design underground openings, the statistical methods must be utilized. In this research, a statistical method was used to define the GSI of rock mass (Geological Strength Index), block volume (V_b), and joint conditions (J_c). Using the GSI distribution function obtained from field data and intact rock strength characteristics, the statistical distribution functions of rock mass parameters were defined using the Monte Carlo method. The statistical analysis of the stability in Azad-pumped storage powerhouse cavern was carried out through the point estimate method. The appropriate support system was suggested according to the support pressure and the plastic zone around the cavern. This study showed the application of the statistical method, by combining the uncertainties of the intact rock strength and discontinuity parameters, in the assessment of the strength and deformability of rock masses and the support selection process in comparison with the deterministic methods.     

Study of the initiation and propagation of excavation damaged zones around openings in argillaceous rock

The study of the creation and evolution of the excavation disturbed zone (EDZ) in argillaceous rocks is a major issue for the safety of nuclear wastes underground repositories. In this context, the argillaceous Tournemire site has provided a unique opportunity to study the evolution of the EDZ with time thanks to the existence of three openings of different ages. A thorough characterization of the EDZ has been conducted by different means such as visual observation, analysis of samples extracted from drilled boreholes, EDZ permeability measurements, etc. On the basis of these measurements, a conceptual model of the EDZ initiation and propagation at the Tournemire site has been proposed. In order to validate this model, numerical simulations of increasing complexity have been carried out. In a first attempt, the response of the rock mass to the excavation phase, followed by seasonal cyclic variations of temperature and relative humidity inside the opening, has been simulated by means of a purely mechanical analysis, using a simple elastic material model. The EDZ has been estimated by post-processing the calculated stress states, using a Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. The results obtained show that no EDZ could be predicted unless adopting a low cohesion value for the rock mass. Moreover, the deferred nature of the EDZ formation in Tournemire could not be reproduced. These limitations have then been suppressed by using a coupled viscoplastic-damaging mechanical model, the parameters of which have been identified from different laboratory experiments. With this model, a time evolution of the EDZ could be predicted, but the EDZ pattern could not match the one observed in situ. Finally, in view of the importance of the hydraulic couplings, unsaturated hydro-mechanical calculations have been carried out to investigate the effect of the numerous seasonal variations cycles and the resulting shrinkage.     

Numerical Analyses of the Influence of Blast-Induced Damaged Rock Around Shallow Tunnels in Brittle Rock

Most of the railway tunnels in Sweden are shallow-seated (<20 m of rock cover) and are located in hard brittle rock masses. The majority of these tunnels are excavated by drilling and blasting, which, consequently, result in the development of a blast-induced damaged zone around the tunnel boundary. Theoretically, the presence of this zone, with its reduced strength and stiffness, will affect the overall performance of the tunnel, as well as its construction and maintenance. The Swedish Railroad Administration, therefore, uses a set of guidelines based on peak particle velocity models and perimeter blasting to regulate the extent of damage due to blasting. However, the real effects of the damage caused by blasting around a shallow tunnel and their criticality to the overall performance of the tunnel are yet to be quantified and, therefore, remain the subject of research and investigation. This paper presents a numerical parametric study of blast-induced damage in rock. By varying the strength and stiffness of the blast-induced damaged zone and other relevant parameters, the near-field rock mass response was evaluated in terms of the effects on induced boundary stresses and ground deformation. The continuum method of numerical analysis was used. The input parameters, particularly those relating to strength and stiffness, were estimated using a systematic approach related to the fact that, at shallow depths, the stress and geologic conditions may be highly anisotropic. Due to the lack of data on the post-failure characteristics of the rock mass, the traditional Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion was assumed and used. The results clearly indicate that, as expected, the presence of the blast-induced damage zone does affect the behaviour of the boundary stresses and ground deformation. Potential failure types occurring around the tunnel boundary and their mechanisms have also been identified.     

Analysis of the behavior of large underground oil storage caverns in salt rock

The storage of petroleum products above ground surface has many constraints and limitations. A viable alternative is to excavate large underground spaces in rock to provide a safer way for oil storage. Soft rock formations such as salt domes provide suitable conditions from environmental and operational aspects. The potential for high volume storage and low permeability are among advantages of oil storage in caverns excavated in salt rocks. The complicated shape of oil storage caverns, complex behavior of salt rock, and boundary conditions associated with large underground openings are major challenges in the design of salt caverns excavated for oil storage purposes. In this study, the deformation mechanism and stability of salt caverns were investigated. A comprehensive 3D numerical study was carried out to investigate the effects of cavern size and depth, salt rock deformation modulus, and ground in‐situ stress regime on the behavior of large salt caverns. The stress field and deformation mechanisms were studied numerically aiming at shedding lights into the design aspects of salt caverns for oil storage. The analysis results show that the cavern safety factor is reduced as a function of cavern depth and storage volume. Also, with decrease in k (ratio of horizontal to vertical in‐situ stress), the stability of salt caverns will increase; however, with increase in salt rock young modulus, the sensitivity of cavern stability to k ratio is reduced. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

近距离上保护层开采瓦斯运移规律数值分析

采动裂隙是瓦斯运移的通道,搞清瓦斯运移规律是瓦斯治理的前提。在考虑岩石动态破坏过程和含瓦斯煤岩渗流-应力-损伤耦合的基础上,结合平煤五矿实际地质条件和开采工艺,建立了数值计算模型,应用RFPA-Gas程序模拟了近距离上保护层采动顶底板岩层变形破坏、裂隙演化规律与瓦斯运移规律。模拟结果较好地再现了保护层开采过程中煤岩层应力变化、顶底板损伤及裂隙演化过程,得到了上覆岩层移动的“上三带”（冒落带、裂隙带和弯曲下沉带）和底板变形的“下两带”（底板变形破坏带和弹塑性变形带）。得到了被保护层瓦斯流量分布、瓦斯压力分布和透气系数的变化规律,卸压煤层瓦斯透气性增大了2 500倍,得到了煤壁下方压缩区和膨胀区之间的张剪瓦斯渗流通道,并将保护层底板压缩区和膨胀区的瓦斯渗流特征提炼出来：压缩区对应的是渗流减速减量区、膨胀区由卸压膨胀陡变区和卸压膨胀平稳区组成,分别对应着渗流急剧增速增量区和渗流平稳增量区。指出卸压膨胀陡变区是瓦斯突出危险区,为近距离保护层开采瓦斯治理指明了方向。实践表明,瓦斯治理效果显著。     

Coupled THM processes in EDZ of crystalline rocks using an elasto-plastic cellular automaton

This paper aims at a numerical study of coupled thermal, hydrological and mechanical processes in the excavation disturbed zones (EDZ) around nuclear waste emplacement drifts in fractured crystalline rocks. The study was conducted for two model domains close to an emplacement tunnel; (1) a near-field domain and (2) a smaller wall-block domain. Goodman element and weak element were used to represent the fractures in the rock mass and the rock matrix was represented as elasto-visco-plastic material. Mohr–Coulomb criterion and a non-associated plastic flow rule were adopted to consider the viscoplastic deformation in the EDZ. A relation between volumetric strain and permeability was established. Using a self-developed EPCA^2D code, the elastic, elasto-plastic and creep analyses to study the evolution of stress and deformations, as well as failure and permeability evolution in the EDZ were conducted. Results indicate a strong impact of fractures, plastic deformation and time effects on the behavior of EDZ especially the evolution of permeability around the drift.     

Numerical simulation of Qiaotou Landslide deformation caused by drawdown of the Three Gorges Reservoir,China

Landslides located beside reservoirs tend to be unstable or are characterized by large deformation during the drawdown process. This has been accepted by many experts. In this paper, we use Qiaotou Landslide, which is located beside the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), as a typical case study to investigate and predict the deformation mechanism during the drawdown process of TGR in detail. According to field investigation, the landslide mass is mainly composed of thick, loose silt and clay mixed with fragments of rock. Bedrock is mainly composed of silty sandstone. Field and laboratory tests indicate that the landslide mass has a high permeability coefficient. If the water level declines fast, intense seepage force may result. Based on these data, we establish a three-dimensional geological model of Qiaotou Landslide by FLAC^3D and perform a numerical simulation using the saturated–unsaturated fluid–solid coupling theory. For the simulation, we assume that the drawdown from 175 to 145 m takes place with a speed of 25 cm/day, which is based on the extreme water level regulation program of TGR. The simulation shows that this causes a significant deformation in the landslide mass and that the maximum displacement within the landslide is 24.2 cm. During the drawdown process, the maximum displacement zone is shifting from the upper part of the landslide where bedrock surface is steeper and thickness of loose deposits is less to the middle part of the landslide where bedrock surface is less steep and thickness of loose deposits is higher. The deformation mechanism indicates that in the early stage of the drawdown the deformation of the landslide mass is mainly caused by seepage and in the later stage mainly by consolidation.     

某倾倒边坡开挖下的变形特征及加固措施分析

以皖南某高速公路一个反倾边坡为例,在详细地质调查基础上分析了边坡以倾倒-滑移为主要特征的倾倒变形力学机理。调查结果显示在边坡原有倾倒变形的基础上,开挖爆破等工程扰动首先使开挖面顶部出现倾倒变形并伴有后缘拉裂隙,同时坡体内部断续结构面逐渐贯通,最下级台阶面出现外鼓等。上述现象的出现显示出边坡具有整体失稳破坏的趋势。在上述地质概念模型基础上,应用离散单元法对边坡变形全过程进行模拟,验证上述变形破坏机理,并揭示了边坡在深度方向上的变形分区现象,即倾倒-折断区、强烈倾倒区、倾倒影响区和正常岩层区。     

考虑空间效应的地下洞室爆破开挖松动区参数场位移反分析

将地下洞室爆破开挖松动区视为一个随开挖过程演变的非均匀、非稳定三维扰动场,松动区内岩体力学参数则是一个具有时空演化特性的参数场。考虑爆破开挖扰动空间效应和岩体真实变形响应,提出了真实工作状态下开挖松动区岩体参数场辨识的位移反分析方法。基于局部监测变形空间插补得到的空间位移场,通过分析洞室爆破开挖围岩变形扰动机制,建立了开挖松动区岩体变形模量参数场数值演化模型,并进行了模型适用性和参数敏感性分析。在此基础上,以变形模量参数为例,结合围岩实测位移信息,提出了开挖松动区参数场位移反分析的动态实现过程。将该方法应用于溪洛渡地下洞室群施工期参数场反演和围岩稳定动态反馈评价及预测,结果表明,该方法合理有效,在大型地下洞群施工开挖与快速监测反馈方面具有显著的工程适用性及实用性。     

A viscoplastic model including anisotropic damage for the time dependent behaviour of rock

This paper presents a new constitutive model for the time dependent mechanical behaviour of rock which takes into account both viscoplastic behaviour and evolution of damage with respect to time. This model is built by associating a viscoplastic constitutive law to the damage theory. The main characteristics of this model are the account of a viscoplastic volumetric strain (i.e. contractancy and dilatancy) as well as the anisotropy of damage. The latter is described by a second rank tensor. Using this model, it is possible to predict delayed rupture by determining time to failure, in creep tests for example. The identification of the model parameters is based on experiments such as creep tests, relaxation tests and quasi‐static tests. The physical meaning of these parameters is discussed and comparisons with lab tests are presented. The ability of the model to reproduce the delayed failure observed in tertiary creep is demonstrated as well as the sensitivity of the mechanical response to the rate of loading. The model could be used to simulate the evolution of the excavated damage zone around underground openings. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Linear Elastic and Cohesive Fracture Analysis to Model Hydraulic Fracture in Brittle and Ductile Rocks

Hydraulic fracturing technology is being widely used within the oil and gas industry for both waste injection and unconventional gas production wells. It is essential to predict the behavior of hydraulic fractures accurately based on understanding the fundamental mechanism(s). The prevailing approach for hydraulic fracture modeling continues to rely on computational methods based on Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). Generally, these methods give reasonable predictions for hard rock hydraulic fracture processes, but still have inherent limitations, especially when fluid injection is performed in soft rock/sand or other non-conventional formations. These methods typically give very conservative predictions on fracture geometry and inaccurate estimation of required fracture pressure. One of the reasons the LEFM-based methods fail to give accurate predictions for these materials is that the fracture process zone ahead of the crack tip and softening effect should not be neglected in ductile rock fracture analysis. A 3D pore pressure cohesive zone model has been developed and applied to predict hydraulic fracturing under fluid injection. The cohesive zone method is a numerical tool developed to model crack initiation and growth in quasi-brittle materials considering the material softening effect. The pore pressure cohesive zone model has been applied to investigate the hydraulic fracture with different rock properties. The hydraulic fracture predictions of a three-layer water injection case have been compared using the pore pressure cohesive zone model with revised parameters, LEFM-based pseudo 3D model, a Perkins-Kern–Nordgren (PKN) model, and an analytical solution. Based on the size of the fracture process zone and its effect on crack extension in ductile rock, the fundamental mechanical difference of LEFM and cohesive fracture mechanics-based methods is discussed. An effective fracture toughness method has been proposed to consider the fracture process zone effect on the ductile rock fracture.     

Modeling visco-elastic–plastic deformation of soil with modified Merchant model

Eighty-four to ninety-eight percent of land subsidence in Shanghai City is caused by the visco-elastic–plastic deformation of sediments. Numerical experiments are done on the sediments with visco-elastic–plastic deformation in Shanghai to verify the modified Merchant model (MM model) and land subsidence model based on the modified Merchant (LS-MM) model. There are two advantages of the MM model and the LS-MM model. One is that only a few parameters are involved. There are three parameters in the MM model and four parameters in the LS-MM model. The other one is that both models can describe elastic, elastic–plastic and visco-elastic deformation in addition to visco-elastic–plastic deformation. The corresponding models are developed by setting proper values of the three parameters of μ, α ₁ and α ₂. The two advantages make the LS-MM model flexible and applicable to the simulation of the large regional land subsidence with visco-elastic–plastic deformation and other different kinds of deformation. The results can be improved by variable parameters, especially specific storage.     

Numerical Modelling of the Heterogeneous Rock Fracture Process Using Various Test Techniques

Summary A series of numerical tests including both rock mechanics and fracture mechanics tests are conducted by the rock and tool (R–T^2D) interaction code coupled with a heterogeneous masterial model to obtain the physical–mechanical properties and fracture toughness, as well as to simulate the crack initiation and propagation, and the fracture progressive process. The simulated results not only predict relatively accurate physical–mechanical parameters and fracture toughness, but also visually reproduce the fracture progressive process compared with the experimental and theoretical results. The detailed stress distribution and redistribution, crack nucleation and initiation, stable and unstable crack propagation, interaction and coalescence, and corresponding load–displacement curves can be proposed as benchmarks for experimental study and theoretical research on crack propagation. It is concluded that the heterogeneous material model is reasonable and the R–T^2D code is stable, repeatable and a valuable numerical tool for research on the rock fracture process.     

The role of tectonic shear strain on the illitization mechanism of mixed-layers illite–smectite. A case study from a fault zone in the Northern Apennines,Italy

The influence of tectonic strain on the diagenetic degree and illitization process of mixed-layers illite–smectite at shallow crustal conditions was studied. For this purpose, the modal composition of clay fraction and illite FWHM parameters of argillites deformed by a regional-scale fault zone were studied in detail by XRD, chemical analyses and by SEM observations. Analyses were performed on deformed samples of the fault rock and compared with the non-deformed rocks off the fault zone. In addition, this paper reports a detailed comparative analysis of deformed (shear surfaces and cleavage domains) and non-deformed domains (lithon cores) of a scaly fabric in the fault rock. A systematic increase in illite concentration, a decrease of Kübler index and FWHM₍₀₀₂₎ values, and an enrichment of K⁺ ions were observed in cleavage domains with respect to the non-deformed sediments off the fault zone and the lithon cores within the fault rock. Migration of K⁺-rich fluids along scaly cleavage domains causes progressive conversion of smectite-rich I–S to illite-rich I–S and thickening of illite crystallites along the c-direction. Changes in mineralogical and crystallographic parameters, therefore, seem to be strongly controlled by shear plane development in highly sheared rocks.     

断裂在纯净砂岩中的变形机制及断裂带内部结构

以纯净砂岩为对象,考虑了影响断裂变形的主要因素,包括成岩阶段、孔隙度、温度和围压,系统剖析了不同性质砂岩的断裂变形机制、微构造特征及形成断裂带的内部结构,对研究砂岩内断裂封闭性具有重要的指导意义。研究表明：纯净的砂岩在未固结-半固结成岩阶段发生断裂,变形机制为颗粒边界摩擦滑动,导致颗粒旋转和滚动,即为颗粒流,形成的微构造为解聚带,孔渗性同母岩比没有明显降低,断裂带尽管具有断层核和破碎带二分结构,但渗透率比母岩高,为流体垂向运移的通道;在固结成岩阶段（孔隙度大于15%）发生断裂,变形机制为碎裂作用,颗粒边界摩擦滑动导致颗粒旋转,即为碎裂流,形成的微构造为碎裂带,渗透率同母岩比一般降低1～3个数量级,形成侧向有一定封闭能力、垂向渗透的断裂带;固结阶段（孔隙度小于15%）发生断裂,开始由于破裂作用,形成断层角砾岩,伴随着碎裂流发生,形成碎裂岩,因此早期形成高渗透断裂带,后期断层逐渐封闭。固结成岩的砂岩在抬升过程发生断裂,变形机制为破裂作用,形成无内聚力的角砾岩,为高渗透断裂带。在不同成岩阶段发生变形,形成多类型变形构造的叠加,对于一条晚期形成的断层而言,由于不同深度变形机制及微构造类型不同,导致油气选择性充注,碎裂带和压溶胶结碎裂带阻止油气向高孔隙度砂岩中充注,解聚带会成为油气运移的通道,裂缝有利于油气优先充注。因此,高孔隙性砂岩中孔隙度较低的储集层由于碎裂带不发育常常含油气性最好,而低孔隙性砂岩由于裂缝产生含油气性较好。     

开采倾斜近地表矿体地表及围岩变形陷落的模型试验研究

以某铜矿矿山一典型地质剖面为原型,运用物理概化模型试验,采用网格数字摄影测量方法量测模型剖面全场位移,分析了开采倾斜近地表矿体地表及围岩变形陷落随不同开挖步的变化规律。在模型试验中,开挖-75 m～-45 m之间的矿体,围岩扰动范围及地表下沉位移逐渐增大,第7步开挖完成后,采空区上方岩体开始出现离层,第9步开挖完成后,地表1～4测点之间形成一明显沉陷盆地,最大下沉位移达825 mm。模型试验研究的结果与现场及离散元数值计算结果基本吻合。     

裂隙岩体渗透性影响因素的研究

采用UDEC离散单元法中关于裂隙岩体开挖模拟及水力全耦合分析模型,分析裂隙岩体洞室开挖后,因围岩应力与水力耦合作用导致裂隙隙宽变化及渗流变化的过程。为了更直观地了解耦合作用对裂隙岩体渗透特性的影响,以隧洞开挖为例,用开挖后隧洞内总涌水量来表征岩体的渗透特性。利用数值试验的方法,研究了块体边界大小、初始应力比、裂隙隙宽和裂隙夹角对开挖后隧洞内涌水量变化的影响,进而可以看出它们对裂隙岩体渗透性的影响。并得出如下结论：随着块体尺寸和初始应力比的增大,隧洞内总涌水量减少;随初始隙宽的增大涌水量增加并当达到某一固定值时保持不变;隧洞涌水量在θ2/θ1=3.5,其中θ1=30°,即两组节理的夹角为75°处达到最大。