A virtual element method for the two-phase flow of immiscible fluids in porous media

A primal C⁰-conforming virtual element discretization for the approximation of the bidimensional two-phase flow of immiscible fluids in porous media using general polygonal meshes is discussed. This work investigates the potentialities of the Virtual Element Method (VEM) in solving this specific problem of immiscible fluids in porous media involving a time-dependent coupled system of non-linear partial differential equations. The performance of the fully discrete scheme is thoroughly analysed testing it on general meshes considering both a regular problem and more realistic benchmark problems that are of interest for physical and engineering applications.

     

A virtual experiment technique on the elementary behaviour of granular materials with discrete element method

Multi‐scale investigations aided by the discrete element method (DEM) play a vital role for current state‐of‐the‐art research on the elementary behaviour of granular materials. Similar to laboratory tests, there are three important aspects to be considered carefully, which are the proper stress/strain definition and measurement, the application of target loading paths and the designed experiment setup, to be addressed in the present paper. Considering the volume sensitive characteristics of granular materials, in the proposed technique, the deformation of the tested specimen is controlled and measured by deformation gradient tensor involving both the undeformed configuration and the current configuration. Definitions of Biot strain and Cauchy stress are adopted. The expressions of them in terms of contact forces and particle displacements, respectively, are derived. The boundary of the tested specimen consists of rigid massless planar units. It is suggested that the representative element uses a convex polyhedral (polygonal) shape to minimize possible boundary arching effects. General loading paths are described by directly specifying the changes in the stress/strain invariants or directions. Loading can be applied in the strain‐controlled mode by specifying the translations and rotations of the boundary units, or in the stress‐controlled mode by using a servo‐control mechanism, or in the combination of the two methods to realize mixed boundary conditions. Taking the simulation results as the natural consequences originated from a complex system, virtual experiments provide particle‐scale information database to conduct multi‐scale investigations for better understanding in granular material behaviours and possible development of the constitutive theories provided the qualitative similarity between the simulation results from virtual experiments and observations on real material behaviour. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Variational principles and finite element method for stress analysis of porous media

A number of variational principles are established in this paper for the stress analysis of porous media with compressible constituents. A three-dimensional finite element method is proposed based on the variational principle. The finite element method thus established is applied to the study of the temperature, deformation and flow field associated with the water-flood technique in secondary recovery projects for oil exploration. In the study model, the layout of injection wells and production wells is considered to have a regular pattern where symmetry conditions exist. The injection fluid diffuses slowly into the formation through a vertical crack which is initially generated by an explosion. The problem is analysed by a plane strain formulation with the effects of heat conduction and convection included.     

饱和多孔介质中水力-力学-传质耦合过程的混合有限元法

对饱和多孔介质提出了一个含溶混污染物输运（传质）过程的混合元方法,其中污染物输运过程数学模型包含了对流、机械逸散、分子弥散和吸附等机制。固相位移、应变和有效应力,孔隙水压力、压力空间梯度和Darcy速度,污染物浓度、浓度空间梯度和浓度流量在单元内均为独立变量分别插值。基于胡海昌-Washizu三变量广义变分原理,结合可以滤掉虚假振荡的特征线方法,推导出饱和土中水力-力学-传质耦合问题控制方程的单元弱形式,并导出了混合元计算公式。数值模拟证明了所提出的方法可以提供与传统4点积分方案同样精度,同时能够提高计算效率。     

饱和多孔介质动力响应移动单元法分析

移动单元法在处理移动荷载下结构动力行为分析方面具有求解高效的优势,但目前针对饱和多孔介质动力响应的移动单元法的研究成果甚少。根据饱和多孔介质u-p格式动力控制方程,利用移动坐标系建立了饱和多孔介质瞬态及稳态动力控制方程的移动单元列式,通过编制相应的计算程序将计算结果与已有文献结果对比验证了算法的正确和有效性。基于移动单元法建立了移动荷载下饱和沥青路面-弹性基层系统计算模型,分析了移动荷载下该模型的瞬态动力响应规律,并与其稳态动力响应进行了对比分析,分析表明,其水动力特性较稳态响应呈现出明显的瞬态效应。基于稳态动力响应结果分析了荷载速度、排水边界、渗透系数对饱和沥青路面动力响应的影响规律,算例研究结果可以为分析水动力作用下沥青路面水稳定性功能损伤机制提供参考。     

采用复合单元法模拟裂隙多孔介质变饱和流动

采用复合单元法建立了模拟裂隙多孔介质变饱和流动的数值模型。该模型具有以下特点:裂隙不需要离散成特定单元,而是根据几何位置插入到孔隙基质单元中形成复合单元;在复合单元中,分别建立裂隙流和孔隙基质流的计算方程,二者通过裂隙-基质界面产生联系并整合成复合单元方程;复合单元方程具有和常规有限单元方程相同的格式,因此,可以使用常规有限单元方程的求解技术。采用欠松弛迭代、集中质量矩阵以及自适应时步调节等技术,开发了裂隙多孔介质变饱和流动计算程序。通过模拟一维干土入渗和复杂裂隙含水层内的流动问题,验证了该模型的合理性和适用性。模拟结果为进一步认识非饱和裂隙含水层地下水流动特性提供了理论依据。     

A finite element method for modeling coupled flow and deformation in porous fractured media

Modeling the flow in highly fractured porous media by finite element method (FEM) has met two difficulties: mesh generation for fractured domains and a rigorous formulation of the flow problem accounting for fracture/matrix, fracture/fracture, and fracture/boundary fluid mass exchanges. Based on the recent theoretical progress for mass balance conditions in multifractured porous bodies, the governing equations for coupled flow and deformation in these bodies are first established in this paper. A weak formulation for this problem is then established allowing to build a FEM. Taking benefit from recent development of mesh‐generating tools for fractured media, this weak formulation has been implemented in a numerical code and applied to some typical problems of hydromechanical coupling in fractured porous media. It is shown that in this way, the FEM that has proved its efficiency to model hydromechanical phenomena in porous media is extended with all its performances (calculation time, couplings, and nonlinearities) to fractured porous media. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three-dimensional discrete element method for granular materials

This paper describes a three-dimensional discrete element method of analysis for granular materials. Individual particles are modelled as rigid, six-sided solids with six degrees of freedom. Various types of contacts are possible among the three-dimensional discrete elements. Models for these contact types are described. Computational aspects of the method, such as techniques for contact detection and data structure, are addressed. Selective results of three examples that demonstrate the application of the method to granular flow problems are presented and discussed.     

A finite element method for localized erosion in porous media with applications to backward piping in levees

This paper presents a computational method able to effectively model both the simultaneous processes typically observed in backward erosion piping, ie, the pipe tip propagation and the conduit cross-section enlargement. The numerical method is based on the novel formulation of a problem of localized erosion along a line propagating in a multidimensional porous medium. In this line, a conduit with evolving transverse size is embedded, which conveys a multiphase flow. The two systems, porous medium and pipe, are bridged by exchange terms of multiphase fluid mass and by a shared fluid pressure field. On the contrary, different fields are considered to describe flows, which are assumed as Darcian in the porous medium and turbulent in the conduit. These two flows drive pipe propagation and enlargement, respectively, as modeled by means of proper erosion kinetic laws. The corresponding numerical formulation is based on the combination between one- and multidimensional finite elements, to model the erosion conduit and the porous medium, respectively. Several simulations are proposed to demonstrate the ability of the proposed approach in reproducing available experimental data of real-scale tests on levees. Our results point out the crucial role played by the combined influence of pipe propagation and enlargement, as well as of three-dimensional (3D) effects. We also assess the mesh independence of the proposed numerical solution, particularly as concerns the calculated pipe propagation history.     

Thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling of fracturing porous media with two-phase fluid flow using X-FEM technique

In this paper, a fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model is presented for two-phase fluid flow and heat transfer in fractured/fracturing porous media using the extended finite element method. In the fractured porous medium, the traction, heat, and mass transfer between the fracture space and the surrounding media are coupled. The wetting and nonwetting fluid phases are water and gas, which are assumed to be immiscible, and no phase-change is considered. The system of coupled equations consists of the linear momentum balance of solid phase, wetting and nonwetting fluid continuities, and thermal energy conservation. The main variables used to solve the system of equations are solid phase displacement, wetting fluid pressure, capillary pressure, and temperature. The fracture is assumed to impose the strong discontinuity in the displacement field and weak discontinuities in the fluid pressure, capillary pressure, and temperature fields. The mode I fracture propagation is employed using a cohesive fracture model. Finally, several numerical examples are solved to illustrate the capability of the proposed computational algorithm. It is shown that the effect of thermal expansion on the effective stress can influence the rate of fracture propagation and the injection pressure in hydraulic fracturing process. Moreover, the effect of thermal loading is investigated properly on fracture opening and fluids flow in unsaturated porous media, and the convective heat transfer within the fracture is captured successfully. It is shown how the proposed computational model is capable of modeling the fully coupled thermal fracture propagation in unsaturated porous media.     

Improved computation of non-linear advection in porous media using slightly modified basic finite element algorithms

The numerical stability of standard finite element schemes applied to the advection–diffusion equation is evaluated using a space-time eigenvalue analysis. Unlike the usual approaches which only consider temporal aspects of stability, this analysis also describes the spatial stability of the solutions. To this end, the one-dimensional advection–diffusion equation is put into an alternative semi-discrete form which allows the derivation of a very practical stability condition. In multidimensional flow situations the latter is applied along the streamlines by means of a tensorial corrective function that prevents excessive numerical smearing of fronts or phase interfaces. The efficiency of the procedure is illustrated by an example which successfully simulates the coupling of two low miscible fluid phases in a variably saturated porous medium.     

离散元计算的位移控制方法

基于离散单元的动态松弛法,提出了由每循环步允许块体最大位移增量控制每步块体求解的方法--位移控制法。该方法通过对块体的位移试算来决定时步的大小,不仅解决了离散元计算中的如叠合过大等问题,还可以提高计算的精度和效率。编制了相应的程序和程序流程图,并给出了算例分析。     

Shortest link method for contact detection in discrete element method

With the increasing demand for discrete element simulations with larger number of particles and more realistic particle geometries, the need for efficient contact detection algorithms is more evident. To date, the class of common plane (CP) methods is among the most effective and widely used contact detection algorithms in discrete element simulations of polygonal and polyhedral particles. This paper introduces a new approach to obtain the CP by employing a newly introduced concept of ‘shortest link’. Among all the possible line segments that connect any point on the surface of particle A to any point on the surface of particle B, the one with the shortest length defines the shortest link between the two particles. The perpendicular bisector plane of the shortest link fulfils all the conditions of a CP, suggesting that CP can be obtained by seeking the shortest link. A new algorithm, called shortest link method (SLM), is proposed to obtain the shortest link and subsequently the CP between any two polyhedral particles. Comparison of the analysis time between SLM and previously introduced algorithms demonstrate that SLM results in a substantial speed up for polyhedral particles contact detection. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Granular element method for three‐dimensional discrete element calculations

This paper endows the recently‐proposed granular element method (GEM) with the ability to perform 3D discrete element calculations. By using non‐uniform rational B‐Splines to accurately represent complex grain geometries, we proposed an alternative approach to clustering‐based and polyhedra‐based discrete element methods whereby the need for complicated and ad hoc approaches to construct 3D grain geometries is entirely bypassed. We demonstrate the ability of GEM in capturing arbitrary‐shaped 3D grains with great ease, flexibility, and without excessive geometric information. Furthermore, the applicability of GEM is enhanced by its tight integration with existing non‐uniform rational B‐Splines modeling tools and ability to provide a seamless transition from binary images of real grain shapes (e.g., from 3D X‐ray CT) to modeling and discrete mechanics computations.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of plastic deformation on hydraulic fracturing with extended element method

The propagation of hydraulic fracture in elastic rocks has widely been investigated. In the paper, we shall focus on numerical modeling of hydraulic fracturing in a class of porous rocks exhibiting plastic deformation. The plastic strain of porous rocks is described by a non-associated plastic model based on Drucker–Prager criterion. The plastic deformation is coupled with fluid pressure evolution described by the lubrication theory. An extended finite element method is used for modeling the propagation of fracture. The fracture propagation criterion is based on the J-integral. The proposed numerical model is validated by comparisons with numerical and analytical results. The influence of plastic deformation on fracture propagation process is investigated.

     

可变形圆化多边形离散单元法

将基于圆化多边形离散单元法与有限元方法结合,提出一种可变形圆化多边形离散单元法。此法对块体离散元进行圆化处理,可较好地表征不规则块体外形,又保留了颗粒离散元计算高效的优势。在求解接触力时,消除了角点处法向奇异等问题,同时增强计算的稳定性和简化接触判断。同时对切向接触力计算模型进行修正,使得接触力计算效率得到提高。此法突破了圆化多边形刚体假设的限制,可以精确计算任意形状不规则离散单元之间的相互作用,对单元的运动和变形进行模拟。通过超静定梁冲击试验、不规则块体单轴压缩试验和料斗流动“卡阻”试验3个数值模拟算例,论证此法可以有效地捕捉单元的碰撞、分离和变形等空间运动和自身特性以及其细观力学表征。     

Modelling of hydraulic fracturing process by coupled discrete element and fluid dynamic methods

A three-dimensional model is presented and used to reproduce the laboratory hydraulic fracturing test performed on a thick-walled hollow cylinder limestone sample. This work aims to investigate the implications of the fluid flow on the behaviour of the micro-structure of the rock sample, including the material strength, its elastic constants and the initialisation and propagation of fractures. The replication of the laboratory test conditions has been performed based on the coupled Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics scheme. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The developed model closely validates the overall behaviour of the laboratory sample, providing a realistic overview of the cracking propagation towards total collapse as well as complying with Lame’s theory for thick-walled cylinders. This research aims to provide some insight into designing an accurate DEM model of a fracturing rock that can be used to predict its geo-mechanical behaviour during Enhanced Oil Recovery applications.     

K28边坡变形破坏机制的离散元模拟

在工程地质勘察的基础上,对K28边坡在天然和饱水状态下的变形进行离散单元法数值模拟,分析了此类缓倾角顺层边坡滑移压致拉裂的变形破坏机制,以及地下水促进边坡变形破坏的作用机理,为边坡的工程治理设计提供合理的建议。     

Weak discontinuity in porous media: an enriched EFG method for fully coupled layered porous media

In this paper, a series of multimaterial benchmark problems in saturated and partially saturated two‐phase and three‐phase deforming porous media are addressed. To solve the process of fluid flow in partially saturated porous media, a fully coupled three‐phase formulation is developed on the basis of available experimental relations for updating saturation and permeabilities during the analysis. The well‐known element free Galerkin mesh‐free method is adopted. The partition of unity property of MLS shape functions allows for the field variables to be extrinsically enriched by appropriate functions that introduce existing discontinuities in the solution field. Enrichment of the main unknowns including solid displacement, water phase pressure, and gas phase pressure are accounted for, and a suitable enrichment strategy for different discontinuity types are discussed. In the case of weak discontinuity, the enrichment technique previously used by Krongauz and Belytschko [Int. J. Numer. Meth. Engng., 1998; 41:1215–1233] is selected. As these functions possess discontinuity in their first derivatives, they can be used for modeling material interfaces, generating only minor oscillations in derivative fields (strain and pressure gradients for multiphase porous media), as opposed to unenriched and constrained mesh‐free methods. Different problems of multimaterial poro‐elasticity including fully saturated, partially saturated one, and two‐phase flows under the assumption of fully coupled extended formulation of Biot are examined. As a further development, problems involved with both material interface and impermeable discontinuities, where no fluid exchange is permitted across the discontinuity, are considered and numerically discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the use of enriched finite element method to model subsurface features in porous media flow problems

In this paper, a new enrichment scheme is proposed to model fractures and other conduits in porous media flow problems. Inserting this scheme into a partition of unity based method results in a new numerical method that does not require the mesh to honor the specific geometry of these subsurface features. The new scheme involves a specially designed integration procedure and enrichment functions, which can capture effects of local heterogeneity introduced by subsurface features on the pressure solution. The new method is also capable of modeling fractures with low as well as high conductivity. Another feature of the proposed scheme is that, even though two enrichment functions are used to model the permeability change at the two rock/fracture interfaces of a fracture, only one element partition is made for numerical integration. To demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed approach, production problems for wells that were stimulated or completed by longitudinal fracture, transverse fractures, and perforations are studied.