A stabilized extended finite element framework for hydraulic fracturing simulations

We present a stabilized extended finite element formulation to simulate the hydraulic fracturing process in an elasto‐plastic medium. The fracture propagation process is governed by a cohesive fracture model, where a trilinear traction‐separation law is used to describe normal contact, cohesion and strength softening on the fracture face. Fluid flow inside the fracture channel is governed by the lubrication equation, and the flow rate is related to the fluid pressure gradient by the ‘cubic’ law. Fluid leak off happens only in the normal direction and is assumed to be governed by the Carter's leak‐off model. We propose a ‘local’ U‐P (displacement‐pressure) formulation to discretize the fluid‐solid coupled system, where volume shape functions are used to interpolate the fluid pressure field on the fracture face. The ‘local’ U‐P approach is compatible with the extended finite element framework, and a separate mesh is not required to describe the fluid flow. The coupled system of equations is solved iteratively by the standard Newton‐Raphson method. We identify instability issues associated with the fluid flow inside the fracture channel, and use the polynomial pressure projection method to reduce the pressure oscillations resulting from the instability. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed framework is effective in modeling 3D hydraulic fracture propagation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Finite element simulations of 3D planar hydraulic fracture propagation using a coupled hydro-mechanical interface element

Two-dimensional hydraulic fracturing simulations using the cohesive zone model (CZM) can be readily found in the literature; however, to our knowledge, verified 3D cohesive zone modeling is not available. We present the development of a 3D fully coupled hydro-mechanical finite element method (FEM) model (with parallel computation framework) and its application to hydraulic fracturing. A special zero-thickness interface element based on the CZM is developed for modeling fracture propagation and fluid flow. A local traction-separation law with strain softening is used to capture tensile cracking. The model is verified by considering penny-shaped hydraulic fracture and plain strain Kristianovich‑Geertsma‑de Klerk hydraulic fracture (in 3D) in the viscosity- and toughness-dominated regimes. Good agreement between numerical results and analytical solutions has been achieved. The model is used to investigate the influence of rock and fluid properties on hydraulic fracturing. Lower stiffness tip cohesive elements tend to yield a larger elastic deformation around the fracture tips before the tensile strength is reached, generating a larger fracture length and lower fracture pressure compared with higher stiffness elements. It is found that the energy release rate has almost no influence on hydraulic fracturing in the viscosity-dominated regime because the energy spent in creating new fractures is too small when compared with the total input energy. For the toughness-dominated regime, the released energy during fracturing should be accurately captured; relatively large tensile strength should be used in order to match numerical results to the asymptotic analytical solutions. It requires smaller elements when compared with those used in the viscosity-dominated regime.     

Coupled hydromechanical‐fracture simulations of nonplanar three‐dimensional hydraulic fracture propagation

This paper presents an algorithm and a fully coupled hydromechanical‐fracture formulation for the simulation of three‐dimensional nonplanar hydraulic fracture propagation. The propagation algorithm automatically estimates the magnitude of time steps such that a regularized form of Irwin's criterion is satisfied along the predicted 3‐D fracture front at every fracture propagation step. A generalized finite element method is used for the discretization of elasticity equations governing the deformation of the rock, and a finite element method is adopted for the solution of the fluid flow equation on the basis of Poiseuille's cubic law. Adaptive mesh refinement is used for discretization error control, leading to significantly fewer degrees of freedom than available nonadaptive methods. An efficient computational scheme to handle nonlinear time‐dependent problems with adaptive mesh refinement is presented. Explicit fracture surface representations are used to avoid mapping of 3‐D solutions between generalized finite element method meshes. Examples demonstrating the accuracy, robustness, and computational efficiency of the proposed formulation, regularized Irwin's criterion, and propagation algorithm are presented.     

基于ABAQUS平台的水力裂缝扩展有限元模拟研究

随着扩展有限元理论的深入研究,利用扩展有限元方法模拟水力压裂具有了一定的可操作性。相比于常规有限元方法,XFEM方法具有计算结果精度高和计算量小的优点。但是,如何模拟射孔孔眼、如何模拟流体与岩石相互作用以及分析水力裂缝的扩展规律仍然是难题。以研究水力压裂裂缝扩展规律为目的,建立了岩石多孔介质应力平衡方程、流体渗流连续性方程和边界条件。通过有限元离散化方法对耦合方程矩阵进行处理。通过富集函数定义初始裂缝（射孔孔眼）,选择最大主应力及损伤变量D分别作为裂缝起裂和扩展判定准则,利用水平集方法模拟水力裂缝扩展过程。数值模拟结果显示：增加射孔方位角、压裂液排量和减小水平地应力差,起裂压力上升;黏度对起裂压力无明显影响。增加射孔方位角、压裂液排量、黏度和减小水平地应力差值有助于裂缝宽度的增加。增加水平地应力差值、压裂液排量和减小射孔方位角以及压裂液黏度有助于裂缝长度增加,反之亦然。基于ABAQUS的水力裂缝扩展有限元法可对不同井型和诸多储层物性参数及压裂施工参数进行分析,且裂缝形态逼真,裂缝面凹凸程度清晰,结果准确。此研究可作为一种简便有效研究水力压裂裂缝扩展规律的方法为油田水力压裂设计与施工提供参考与依据。     

Coupled formulation and algorithms for the simulation of non‐planar three‐dimensional hydraulic fractures using the generalized finite element method

This paper presents a coupled hydro‐mechanical formulation for the simulation of non‐planar three‐dimensional hydraulic fractures. Deformation in the rock is modeled using linear elasticity, and the lubrication theory is adopted for the fluid flow in the fracture. The governing equations of the fluid flow and elasticity and the subsequent discretization are fully coupled. A Generalized/eXtended Finite Element Method (G/XFEM) is adopted for the discretization of the coupled system of equations. A Newton–Raphson method is used to solve the resulting system of nonlinear equations. A discretization strategy for the fluid flow problem on non‐planar three‐dimensional surfaces and a computationally efficient strategy for handling time integration combined with mesh adaptivity are also presented. Several three‐dimensional numerical verification examples are solved. The examples illustrate the generality and accuracy of the proposed coupled formulation and discretization strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of non‐planar three‐dimensional hydraulic fracture propagation

Hydraulic fracturing is the method of choice to enhance reservoir permeability and well efficiency for extraction of shale gas. Multi‐stranded non‐planar hydraulic fractures are often observed in stimulation sites. Non‐planar fractures propagating from wellbores inclined from the direction of maximum horizontal stress have also been reported. The pressure required to propagate non‐planar fractures is in general higher than in the case of planar fractures. Current computational methods for the simulation of hydraulic fractures generally assume single, symmetric, and planar crack geometries. In order to better understand hydraulic fracturing in complex‐layered naturally fractured reservoirs, fully 3D models need to be developed. In this paper, we present simulations of 3D non‐planar fracture propagation using an adaptive generalized FEM. This method greatly facilitates the discretization of complex 3D fractures, as finite element faces are not required to fit the crack surfaces. A solution strategy for fully automatic propagation of arbitrary 3D cracks is presented. The fracture surface on which pressure is applied is also automatically updated at each step. An efficient technique to numerically integrate boundary conditions on crack surfaces is also proposed and implemented. Strongly graded localized refinement and analytical asymptotic expansions are used as enrichment functions in the neighborhood of fracture fronts to increase the computational accuracy and efficiency of the method. Stress intensity factors with pressure on crack faces are extracted using the contour integral method. Various non‐planar crack geometries are investigated to demonstrate the robustness and flexibility of the proposed simulation methodology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

模拟三维裂纹问题的多尺度扩展有限元法

扩展有限元法模拟裂纹时独立于网格,因此该方法是目前求解裂纹问题最有效的数值方法。为了在计算代价不大的情况,实现大型结构分析中考虑小裂纹或提高裂纹附近精度,在裂纹附近一般采用小尺度单元,其他区域采用大尺度单元。提出了分析三维裂纹问题的多尺度扩展有限元法,在需要的地方采用小尺度单元。基于点插值构造了六面体任意节点单元。所有尺度单元都采用8节点六面体单元,这样六面体任意节点单元可方便有效地连接不同尺度单元。采用互作用积分法计算三维应力强度因子。边裂纹和中心圆裂纹算例分析结果表明,该方法是正确和有效的。     

Uniform investigation of hydraulic fracturing propagation regimes in the plane strain model

The hydraulic fracturing propagation regimes in the plane strain model are uniformly investigated using a numerical method based on the finite element method. The regimes range from toughness‐dominated cases to viscosity‐dominated cases, covering zero leak‐off situations and small leak‐off situations. Unlike the asymptotic solutions, the numerical method is independent of the energy dissipation regimes and fluid storage regimes. The numerical method pays no special attention to the fracture tip, and it simulates fracture tip behaviors by increasing the number of functions in a natural and uniform manner. The numerical method is verified by comparing its results with the asymptotic solutions. The effect of the model sizes on the numerical method is discussed along with the robustness of the numerical method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

水力压裂扩展特性的数值模拟研究

采用ABAQUS建立了水力压裂计算模型,模拟了地应力、岩石力学特性、压裂液流体特性等各种复杂因素对水力压裂扩展的影响。通过计算分析得到一些有益结论：（1）在注入压力一定的情况下起裂压力与最小水平地应力、临界应力、初始孔隙压力成正比,而与压裂液黏度、最大水平地应力、弹性模量无关;（2）裂缝扩展长度和最大缝宽与最小水平地应力、初始孔隙压力、弹性模量成反比,而与最大水平地应力无关;（3）水力压裂作业中,缝长的扩展过程可分为无扩展阶段、快速扩展阶段、稳定扩展阶段以及缓慢扩展阶段等4个阶段。研究结论对于水力压裂作业优化具有参考价值。     

A finite element approach to the simulation of hydraulic fractures with lag

We presented a finite‐element‐based algorithm to simulate plane‐strain, straight hydraulic fractures in an impermeable elastic medium. The algorithm accounts for the nonlinear coupling between the fluid pressure and the crack opening and separately tracks the evolution of the crack tip and the fluid front. It therefore allows the existence of a fluid lag. The fluid front is advanced explicitly in time, but an implicit strategy is needed for the crack tip to guarantee the satisfaction of Griffith's criterion at each time step. We enforced the coupling between the fluid and the rock by simultaneously solving for the pressure field in the fluid and the crack opening at each time step. We provided verification of our algorithm by performing sample simulations and comparing them with two known similarity solutions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of directional hydraulic fracturing based on true tri-axial experiment and finite element modeling

The initiation and propagation of directional hydraulic fracturing (DHF) was investigated based on true tri-axial experiment and finite element modeling. The influences of notch angle, notch length and injection rate on the DHF were investigated. The initiation and propagation of DHF was modeled by a 3D nonlinear finite element method. A comparison between experimental investigation and numerical modeling results indicates that there is a good correlation between unbalanced force (UF) and fracturing. UF can be used to predict the hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation.     

基于扩展有限元分析的页岩水力压裂裂缝扩展规律探究

水力压裂是开采地下页岩气资源的有效技术手段,探究页岩水力压裂裂缝的扩展规律,可为页岩气的高效开采提供科学的指导依据。通过运用大型有限元软件ABAQUS中的扩展有限元模块,针对不同地应力差工况条件下均质页岩中初始裂缝的位置、方位角、数量和含层理页岩中层理的构造方向、内部倾角、岩性对水力裂缝扩展的影响进行探究。结果表明：对于垂向扩展的水力裂缝,水平主应力增大使裂缝更不易扩展,裂缝扩展长度减小、起裂压力增大;在注液体积流量相同时,向初始裂缝两端同时起裂所形成的水力裂缝长度大于仅向一侧起裂;当初始裂缝处于页岩中部且呈45°方向时,裂缝会向最大水平主应力方向偏转,且偏转程度随最大水平主应力的增大而增大;分时多簇压裂时,裂缝间的扩展会相互干扰,且会较大地影响裂缝扩展的形态和起裂压力,但对裂缝注液点裂缝宽度的影响较小;对于含水平和竖直构造层理的页岩,改变层理内部倾角,水力裂缝会出现不同程度偏转,且其偏转程度随着层理内部倾角的增大而减小;对于含45°方向构造层理的页岩,水力裂缝在层理分别为砂岩、煤岩和泥岩中的偏转程度依次增大,且裂缝偏移比随着最大水平主应力的增大而增大。     

基于有限元的弯矩计算中若干问题探讨

在岩土工程的数值计算中,除了将岩土材料本身划分为实体单元外,设置在岩土体中,与岩土材料相互作用的其他材料也常常划分为实体单元,比如桩基、堤坝防渗墙和面板等。由于对桩基、防渗墙等往往需要利用内力和弯矩进行设计,这就提出了如何利用有限元得到的应力和位移信息计算结构弯矩的问题。通过对一悬臂梁的计算分析就这一问题进行探讨,发现用应力计算弯矩为提高精度需要划分较多单元。用位移计算可以减少单元划分的工作量,但计算易出现振荡,结果不可靠。同时,对剪切闭锁现象等进行了探讨。     

四节点矩形弹簧元及其特性研究

弹簧元法是一种将单元离散为一系列弹簧的数值计算方法。不同的单元具有不同的离散方式,确定相应的离散弹簧的刚度系数表达式是弹簧元法的关键。将四节点矩形单元离散为6个基本弹簧,每个基本弹簧包括法向弹簧和切向弹簧两个派生弹簧,并用泊松弹簧和纯剪弹簧描述单元的泊松效应和剪切效应,用有限元的单元刚度矩阵标定各弹簧的刚度系数,实现了一种四节点矩形弹簧元的构造形式。该单元的同类弹簧具有相同的表达形式。法向与切向弹簧的刚度表达式中分别含有法向和切向弹簧刚度待定系数。通过改变待定系数的值可使该单元分别对应于有限元的常应变、双线性及Wilson非协调单元。将上述弹簧元方法进行理论推导,并应用于基于连续介质的离散单元法（CDEM）的核心计算进行简单算例验证,证明了提出方法的正确性。通过以上研究发现,四节点矩形弹簧元有以下特点：对于相同问题,不同单元有不同的计算精度;对于梁弯曲问题,应用该单元可显著提高离散单元法的求解精度;改变待定系数的值,可得到更高或者更低精度的单元。     

复合单元法的物理和数值试验验证

简述了复合单元法的基本原理和算法,该方法的主要优点在于可以明显地减少前处理的工作量和难度,且可以与有限单元很好地耦合在一个系统中。介绍了宝珠寺重力坝的物理模型超载试验。分别采用三维弹黏塑性复合单元法和三维弹黏塑性有限单元法对宝珠寺重力坝的超载工况进行了数值试验,并与物理试验进行比较。结果表明,三种方法得到的特征点位移吻合得较好,两种数值试验方法的整体位移和应力也基本一致。研究验证了复合单元法的正确性,也说明了该算法的主要优点：前处理简单,计算精度与有限单元法相当,同时还证实了复合单元单元法可以较好地解决复杂岩基上重力坝的变形与破坏问题。     

粗粒料多边形表征及二维FEM/DEM分析

考虑到颗粒形状对粗粒料的力学特性有重大影响,提出了一种新的表征颗粒形状的方法,即在椭圆上随机选取一系列点连接成多边形颗粒,表征狭长扁平的颗粒。新方法较圆上取点的方法能代表更多类型的颗粒形状,适用范围更广。提出了一种新的粗粒料投放算法,即先缩小颗粒,然采用随机算法将缩小的颗粒投放至给定区域,对颗粒划分好网格后,将颗粒放大到原来的大小,然后采用有限元-离散元(FEM/DEM)方法计算稳定后即生成了相应的试样。通过将上述颗粒生成及投放算法与FEM/DEM结合,应用于粗粒料的数值模拟。分析表明,FEM/DEM是研究粗粒料力学性质的较好方法,对复杂的颗粒形状也可简单建模,且因在颗粒内部划分了有限元网格,复杂的接触判断及接触力计算转化为标准统一的三角形和三角形之间的接触判断及接触力计算,所有的计算均可标准化、统一化。同时因为颗粒是可以变形的,依然保留了连续介质力学中应力和应变的概念,无须像PFC那样需通过测量圆来间接表示某点的应力、应变。最后,通过粗粒料的侧限压缩试验的数值模拟,展现了文中提出的一整套解决方案在模拟粗粒料方面的巨大潜力。     

模拟三维裂纹问题的扩展有限元法

扩展有限元法是一种在常规有限元框架内求解强和弱不连续问题的新型数值方法,其计算网格与不连续面相互独立,因此模拟移动不连续面时无需对网格进行重新剖分。给出了模拟三维裂纹问题的扩展有限元法。在常规有限元位移模式中,基于单位分解的思想加进一个阶跃函数和二维渐近裂尖位移场,反映裂纹处位移的不连续性。用两个水平集函数表示裂纹。采用线性互补法求解裂纹面非线性接触条件,不需要迭代,提高了计算效率。采用两点位移外推法计算裂纹前缘应力强度因子。给出了3个三维弹性静力问题算例,其结果显示了所提方法能获得高精度的应力强度因子,并能有效地处理裂纹面间的接触问题,同时表明扩展有限元结合线性互补法求解不连续问题具有较好的前景。     

断裂问题的扩展有限元法研究

扩展有限元（extended finite element method,XFEM）是近年来发展起来的、在常规有限元框架内求解不连续问题的有效数值计算方法,其基于单位分解的思想,在常规有限元位移模式中加入能够反映裂纹面不连续性的跳跃函数及裂尖渐进位移场函数,避免了采用常规有限元计算断裂问题时需要对裂纹尖端重新加密网格造成的不便。在推导扩展有限元算法的基础上,分析了应力强度因子的J积分计算方法及积分区域的选取。采用XFEM对I型裂纹进行了计算,有限元网格独立于裂纹面,无需在裂纹尖端加密网格;分析了积分区域、网格密度对应力强度因子计算精度的影响,指出了计算应力强度因子的合适参数,验证了此方法的可靠性和准确性。     

三维边坡稳定分析的有限元弹塑性迭代解法

针对已知滑动面的三维边坡稳定分析问题,在塑性力学上限定理的基础上,提出了求解安全系数的三维有限元弹塑性迭代解法。对于滑动面的非线性特性,采用常规的矩形（平面）或立方体（空间）单元来描述,应力则符合相关联流动法则的Mohr-Coulomb强度准则。通过对弹塑性增量理论中流动法则的分析,证明了当结构达到极限状态时,滑动面内切向应力的方向与滑体的主滑方向一致,说明最终以滑动面内的切向应力作为滑体滑动力的有效性。通过迭代的方式,逐步降低滑动面材料的抗剪参数,使边坡达到极限状态,不仅快速求得了滑动面的安全系数,且能够得到边坡在接近临界失稳状态时滑动面内切向应力的分布情况和边坡的变形规律,为边坡采取加固措施提供了参考依据。最后,以椭球面滑动和楔形滑动2个经典算例和工程实例,验证了该方法的有效性和正确性。     

危岩水力劈裂分析的扩展有限元法

危岩是三峡库区典型的地质灾害类型之一,而主控结构面受荷断裂扩展是危岩发育成灾的关键核心。将危岩主控结构面类比为宏观裂纹,利用扩展有限元法在模拟裂纹扩展方面的优势,基于考虑裂纹面水压力作用的虚功原理推导出了采用扩展有限元法分析水力劈裂问题的控制方程,给出了危岩主控结构面水力劈裂问题的扩展有限元实现方法,对重庆万州太白岩危岩主控结构面的水力劈裂进行了数值模拟分析。计算结果表明：暴雨是威胁危岩稳定性的最敏感因素,随着裂隙水压力上升,裂端拉应力会急剧升高,危岩的稳定性降低;I型裂纹扩展是危岩主要的结构面扩展形式,结构面一旦发生开裂,将处于非稳定扩展状态。