Research Progress and Development Tendency About Thermal Physical Properties of Rocks

The fundamental researches about thermal physical properties of rocks have much concern in oil and gas field. They go through four stages and are applied in thermal structure of lithosphere, thermal evolution of sedimentary basins, geotechnical engineering and geothermal area. This article summarized the current research progress on the basis of thermal physical properties of rocks and proposed the development of tendency for the future. Moreover, some cylindrical heat pipe, disc heat pipe, spherical heat pipe based on in-situ measurement method and prediction model based on mathematical statistics have been developed. The scholars discuss the internal relation between thermal conductivity parameter of rocks and other physical properties by a large number of experiments. The researches show that the thermal conductivity of rocks is affected by many factors, and the petrologic characteristic is the most important factor. The porosity of rocks, filled fluid properties, acoustic characteristics are also related to thermal conductivity, which is affected by temperature, pressure and anisotropy. In consideration of the study of thermal physical properties of rocks, we proposed the following tendency for the future. First of all, shale gas is regarded as a hot spot in oil-gas exploration and the formation mechanism and the formation of shale gas reservoir are under the control of thermal physical properties of shale gas, but the relationship among thermal conductivity and organic porous, organic carbon content, gas content, fractured characteristics remains unknown. Therefore, exploring the thermal physical properties of gas-bearing shale is an important research direction in oil and gas field. Secondly, the study of big data represents the general trend. Though the database of rocks thermal parameter is continually expanding, measuring in-situ thermal conductivity continuously in well is the best method to get the accurate in-situ thermal conductivity of rocks. Hence, the development of logging method principle and logging instruments based on thermal physical properties of rocks is a necessary trend for the future.     

Fabric and seismic properties of carrara marble mylonite

Shear deformation in calcite-rich rocks can produce strong lattice preferred orientations (LPO), which result in a high anisotropy of bulk seismic properties because of the high elastic anisotropy of calcite (32% Vp anisotropy). Deformed rocks often show also strong shape preferred orientations (SPO). Theories for averaging the elastic properties have not yet satisfactorily predicted the contribution to the seismic anisotropy caused by the SPO alone.A calcite mylonite from Carrara (Italy) was investigated, which is characterised by a strong SPO and a weak LPO. It was composed of about 80% calcite, then white mica, quartz and hematite. Flattening of mica and of calcite grains defined the mylonitic foliation, and elongation of calcite grains defined the lineation. On average calcite grains have aspect ratios of about 2.5:1.6:1, and grain sizes of about 10 μm. At 400 MPa confining pressure, the measured Vp (km/s) parallel to the lineation (X direction) was highest (6.63), lower in the intermediate Y direction (6.47); the Vp normal to the foliation (Z direction) was lowest (6.30). This yielded a Vp anisotropy of 5%. The LPO, determined by automated electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), was very weak (texture index 1.1), with intensities between 0.6 and 1.6 m.r.d. in the c-axis pole figure. Extrapolation of the texture index to an infinite number of orientation measurements indicated that the observed variations were mostly random noise in the orientation distributions and that the bulk rock texture was random. The Vp anisotropy of the Voigt, Reuss and Hill averages calculated from this calcite LPO is predicted to be close to zero. Adding 5% of muscovite with (001) perfectly aligned parallel to the foliation, we calculated a total anisotropy of 2.8%. The anisotropy calculated for the special directions X, Y and Z remained at 2.6% only.It was concluded that the measured seismic anisotropy cannot be explained by the LPO of calcite and by 5% of mica alone. It is also attributed to the strong SPO and to further grain boundary effects.     

The influence of rock anisotropy on stress measurements by overcoring techniques

SummaryThe Influence of Rock Anisotropy on Stress Measurements by Overcoring Techniques A medium is anisotropic if its properties vary with direction. This is the general characteristic of many rocks, for example, schists, slates, gneisses, phyllites and other metamorphic rocks. Bedded and regularly jointed rocks also display anisotropic behavior.This paper is concerned with the influence of rock anisotropy on in-situ stress measurements. It is limited, to stress measurements by overcoring techniques for which strains and displacements are recorded either on the walls of a pilot hole at the end of one or several boreholes or within instrumented solid or hollow inclusions perfectly bonded to the surface of the pilot hole. The rock is described as homogeneous, continuous, anisotropic and linearly elastic.The following questions are answered with special emphasis on rocks that can be classed as transversely isotropic or orthotropic: the number of independent measurements obtainable in a single borehole; the number of boreholes required to determine the in-situ stress field; the influence of rock anisotropy on these numbers; the influence of the anisotropy type and the error involved by neglecting rock anisotropy.With 5 Figures     

Evolution of anisotropy with saturation and its implications for the elastoplastic responses of clay rocks

Many clay rocks have distinct bedding planes. Experimental studies have shown that their mechanical properties evolve with the degree of saturation (DOS), often with higher stiffness and strength after drying. For transversely isotropic rocks, the effects of saturation can differ between the bed-normal (BN) and bed-parallel (BP) directions, which gives rise to saturation-dependent stiffness and strength anisotropy. Accurate prediction of the mechanical behavior of clay rocks under partially saturated conditions requires numerical models that can capture the evolving elastic and plastic anisotropy with DOS. In this study, we present an anisotropy framework for coupled solid deformation-fluid flow in unsaturated elastoplastic media. We incorporate saturation-dependent strength anisotropy into an anisotropic modified Cam-Clay (MCC) model and consider the evolving anisotropy in both the elastic and plastic responses. The model was calibrated using experimental data from triaxial tests to demonstrate its capability in capturing strength anisotropy at various levels of saturation. Through numerical simulations, we demonstrate the role of evolving stiffness and strength anisotropy in the mechanical behavior of clay rocks. Plane strain simulations of triaxial compression tests were also conducted to demonstrate the impacts of material anisotropy and DOS on the mechanical and fluid flow responses.     

Elastic properties, fabric and seismic anisotropy of amphibolites and their contribution to the lower crust reflectivity

In this paper the elastic properties of amphibolites from the Serie dei Laghi and the Ivrea zone (Southern Alps, N-Italy) were investigated as a function of their mineralogical composition, microfabric and density.Three orthogonal cores were cut parallel and normal to foliation and lineation; from those, bulk and grain density were measured and the interconnected porosity was calculated. Bulk density varies from 2.75 to 3.07 g/cm³ and calculated porosity ranges from 0.02 to 0.88%.The same cores were also used to measure seismic velocity of ultrasonic waves at room temperature and at increasing confining pressure up to 300 MPa. At high pressure the matrix properties are separated from the crack-induced properties. P-wave velocity varies with respect to the direction of propagation: the slowest direction is always normal to foliation and the fastest parallel to the mineral lineation. The mineral lineation is typically defined by the elongation of amphibole crystals, in which the fastest Vp direction is parallel to the c axis, that is also the elongation axis. The Vp ranges between 6.76 and 7.54 km/s in the direction parallel to lineation and between 6.32 and 7.06 km/s in the direction normal to foliation. This defines a Vp anisotropy of up to 14%, whose shape varies from orthorhombic to axially symmetric (either prolate or flattened). It was observed that both Vp and Vp anisotropy increase with the amount of amphibole and decrease with the amount of plagioclase. Moreover, the c axis distribution of amphiboles is responsible of the Vp anisotropy intensity and shape, in agreement with observations from previous studies. The seismic properties calculated with the approach of Mainprice (1990), using the fabric data, the elastic constants and the modal composition, gave results in good agreement with the measurements.Exposed rocks in the Ivrea and Serie dei Laghi zones show that amphibolites are interlayered with metapelites on a scale from 1 to 100 m. Because of the very large acoustic impedance contrast (20.34 ± 1.75 for amphibolites, 17.16 ± 0.4 for metapelites), they represent a very reflective portion in the middle-lower crust.     

Impacts of saturation-dependent anisotropy on the shrinkage behavior of clay rocks

Geomaterials such as soils and rocks can exhibit inherent anisotropy due to the preferred orientation of mineral grains and/or cracks. They can also be partially saturated with multiple types of fluids occupying the pore space. The anisotropic and unsaturated behaviors of geomaterials can be highly interdependent. Experimental studies have shown that the elastic parameters of rocks evolve with saturation. The effect of saturation has also been shown to differ between directions in transversely isotropic clay rock. This gives rise to saturation-dependent stiffness anisotropy. Similarly, permeability anisotropy can also be saturation-dependent. In this study, constitutive equations accommodating saturation-dependent stiffness and hydraulic anisotropy are presented. A linear function is used to describe the relationship between the elastic parameters and saturation, while the relative permeability–saturation relationship is characterized with a log-linear function. These equations are implemented into a hydromechanical framework to investigate the effects of saturation-dependent properties on the shrinkage behavior of clay rocks. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the role of saturation-dependent stiffness and hydraulic anisotropy in shrinkage behavior. The results highlight that strain anisotropy and time evolution of pore pressures are substantially influenced by saturation-dependent stiffness and hydraulic anisotropy.

     

南海北部琼东南盆地岩石热物性特征

岩石热物性是盆地模拟和预测深部温度时不可或缺的参数。琼东南盆地是当前我国海洋油气资源勘探开发的重点区 块，揭示该盆地的热状态和烃源岩热演化历史均离不开真实可靠的岩石热物性参数。前人虽然对南海北部地区的岩石热物 性开展过相关研究，仍存在实测数据偏少、代表性不足和相互矛盾等问题，亟需新增一批新的实测数据来弥补该区基础地 热参数的不足。文章对采自琼东南盆地19口钻孔的32块岩心样品开展了热导率、生热率以及密度和孔隙度等物性参数测 试，揭示了它们的空间展布特征、相互关系及其主控因素，建立了琼东南盆地新生界地层平均热导率和生热率，据此估算 出盆地沉积物的放射性生热贡献约占地表热流的33%。这些实测的岩石热物性参数为南海北部海域沉积盆地的盆地模拟和 地热相关研究提供了坚实的基础数据。     

南海北部琼东南盆地岩石热物性特征

岩石热物性是盆地模拟和预测深部温度时不可或缺的参数。琼东南盆地是当前我国海洋油气资源勘探开发的重点区 块,揭示该盆地的热状态和烃源岩热演化历史均离不开真实可靠的岩石热物性参数。前人虽然对南海北部地区的岩石热物 性开展过相关研究,仍存在实测数据偏少、代表性不足和相互矛盾等问题,亟需新增一批新的实测数据来弥补该区基础地 热参数的不足。文章对采自琼东南盆地19口钻孔的32块岩心样品开展了热导率、生热率以及密度和孔隙度等物性参数测 试,揭示了它们的空间展布特征、相互关系及其主控因素,建立了琼东南盆地新生界地层平均热导率和生热率,据此估算 出盆地沉积物的放射性生热贡献约占地表热流的33%。这些实测的岩石热物性参数为南海北部海域沉积盆地的盆地模拟和 地热相关研究提供了坚实的基础数据。     

Simplified Method for the Assessment of the Stiffness Anisotropy of Rocks at Small Strains

Summary A new, practically applicable method for characterizing the stiffness anisotropy of rocks is presented. The anisotropy of geo-materials is often ignored in engineering applications, with potentially serious ramifications, because of the number of parameters required for characterization. The elastic anisotropy has often been considered to be a function of mathematical symmetry, and the restrictions due to layering, microcracking and granularity of the materials have not been considered in the assessment of the anisotropy. The practicality of the method proposed here is achieved by rationally reducing the number of independent anisotropy parameters, typically 9 for orthotropic anisotropy, to a system of 4 independent parameters through a systematic theoretical and experimental analysis of these structural restrictions. These 4 parameters are shown to be sufficient for describing the anisotropy of some rocks and sands at small strains, and parameter determination by back-analysis is demonstrated to be stable using appropriate measurement systems involving 9 elastic wave velocities even when the directions of anisotropic axes are unknown and the velocity data contains appreciable error.     

Scaling laws for hydraulic fractures driven by a power-law fluid in homogeneous anisotropic rocks

This study investigates parametric space of solutions for a planar hydraulic fracture propagating in a homogeneous anisotropic rock. It is assumed that the fracture has an elliptical shape and is driven by a power-law fluid. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of anisotropy and power-law fluid rheology on the parametric space of solutions. Rock anisotropy is represented by having two values of fracture toughness, one in the vertical direction and another one in the horizontal direction. Similarly, the effect of elastic anisotropy is approximated by using two different effective elastic moduli in the vertical and horizontal directions. In contrast to the isotropic case, for which there are four limiting solutions, the problem for anisotropic rocks features six different limiting cases. These cases represent competition between toughness and viscosity in the vertical and horizontal directions and competition between fluid storage inside the fracture and fluid leak-off into formation. Approximate expressions for the limiting solutions are obtained using global volume balance and tip asymptotic solutions. Despite the developed solutions rely on a series of approximations, they precisely capture all the scaling laws associated with the problem. Zones of applicability of these limiting solutions are calculated, and their dependence on the problem parameters is investigated.     

Experimental and texture-derived P-wave anisotropy of principal rocks from the TRANSALP traverse: An aid for the interpretation of seismic field data

A representative suite of deformed, metamorphic rocks from the TRANSALP reflection seismic traverse in the Eastern Alps was studied in the laboratory with respect to elastic properties and whole-rock texture. Compressional wave (P-wave) velocities and their anisotropies were measured at various experimental conditions (dry, wet, confining pressure), and compared to the texture-related component of anisotropy. Here ‘texture’ refers to crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs), which were determined by neutron texture goniometry. In gneisses and schists P-wave anisotropies are mainly controlled by the microcrack fabric. In marbles and amphibolites CPO contributes very significantly to anisotropy. At 200 MPa confining pressure the degree of anisotropy is between 5% and 15%, depending on rock composition and/or CPO intensity. Special emphasis was also put on discussing possible effects of fluids on seismic velocity and anisotropy. Distributions of water-filled microcracks and pores are distinctly anisotropic, with maximum contribution to bulk rock velocity mostly parallel to the foliation pole. Decreasing P-wave velocity and increasing anisotropy of immersed samples may be explained by crack-induced changes of the elastic moduli of bulk rock. The main conclusion regarding interpretation of TRANSALP data is that strong reflections in the deep Alpine crust are probably due to marble–gneiss and metabasite–gneiss contacts, although P-wave anisotropy and boundaries between zones of ‘dry’ or ‘wet’ series may contribute to reflectivity to some extent.     

Sound velocities and elasticity of cordierite and implications for deep crustal seismic anisotropy

The elastic properties of cordierite, a common volatile-bearing metamorphic mineral, were measured using Brillouin spectroscopy under ambient conditions. We obtain a bulk modulus of K_S =129(1) GPa, and a shear modulus of G=54.0(4) GPa. The bulk modulus of cordierite is much larger than those of other crustal framework silicates (e.g., quartz and feldspars), but is similar to K_S for denser upper mantle phases such as olivine. This is likely a result of the cordierite crystal structure, as suggested by a similarly high value of K_S for minerals with closely related structures. Cordierite has an unusually high K/G ratio of about 2.4, and a Poisson’s ratio of 0.31,which may be a diagnostic seismic properties of areas in which cordierite-rich metamorphic rocks occur. The overall velocity anisotropy of cordierite is relatively low (<14%) in comparison with many other metamorphic minerals. Calculated velocities for a representative lower crustal rock suggest that cordierite is not likely to explain the high seismic anisotropy observed in some lower crustal sections. Cordierite would have a strong influence on the bulk seismic anisotropy only in rocks where it is present in large concentrations and has a strong preferred orientation. Although such rocks are known to occur, they are uncommon. Received: 23 Deceber 1997/ Revised, accepted: 12 October 1998     

Elastic wave velocities and permeability of cracked rocks

Cracks play a major role in most rocks submitted to crustal conditions. Mechanically, cracks make the rock much more compliant. They also make it much easier for fluid to flow through any rock body. Relying on Fracture Mechanics and Statistical Physics, we introduce a few key concepts, which allow to understand and quantify how cracks do modify both the elastic and transport properties of rocks. The main different schemes, which can be used to derive the elastic effective moduli of a rock, are presented. It is shown from experimental results that an excellent approximation is the so-called non-interactive scheme. The main consequences of the existence of cracks on the elastic waves is the development of elastic anisotropy (due to the anisotropic distribution of crack orientations) and the dispersion effect (due to microscopic local fluid flow). At a larger scale, macroscopic fluid flow takes place through the crack network above the percolation threshold. Two macroscopic fluid flow regimes can be distinguished: the percolative regime close to the percolation threshold and the connected regime well above it. Experimental data on very different rock types show both of these behaviors.     

高温高压弹性波衰减的研究综述

阐述了弹性波衰减的研究成果 ,简单介绍了频谱振幅比法和干涉测量技术的弹性波测量方法 ,并分析了它们的优缺点。描述了引起弹性波衰减的原因 ,主要包括岩石颗粒边界的接触方式、岩石裂隙之间的流体和高温对弹性波衰减的影响。弹性波衰减的研究对于解释岩石的物理性质和地球内部的结构具有重要的地球物理意义。     

中国大陆科学钻探主孔100～2000m岩石热导率及其各向异性：对研究俯冲带热结构的启示

系统研究了中国大陆科学钻探工程主孔100～2000米岩石的热导率和生热率特征。初步研究了岩石热导率随矿物组成的变化关系、岩石热导率的各向异性及其影响因素。主孔2000米的岩心热导率介于1．873～4．062Wm^-1K^-1之间，平均热导率2．967Wm^-1K^-1。整体上热导率出现的频率主峰分布在2．8～3.0Wm^-1K^-1。榴辉岩热导率随着其退变质程度的增加而降低，新鲜榴辉岩热导率集中分布于3．6～3．7Wm^-1K^-1，角闪石化榴辉岩的热导率分布在3．1～3.2Wm^-1K^-1，强退变的榴辉岩热导率分布于2．4～2．5Wm^-1K^-1。片麻岩热导率主要分布于2．8～3.0Wm^-1K^-1。从垂向上看，主孔100～735米主要由榴辉岩组成，热导率整体比较大，平均3.265Wm^-1K^-1；1200～1600米主要以花岗质片麻岩为主，热导率比其它层位偏低，平均2．755Wm^-1K^-1。通过对面理发育的样品进行测试，东海地区各类岩石的热导率具有较明显的各向异性。榴辉岩和片麻岩热导率的各向异性平均值分别为4、66％和22．99％，超基性岩的热导率平均值为3．322Wm^-1K^-1，各向异性16．08％。岩石热导率在垂直于面理的方向上具有最小值，在平行于面理的方向上具有最大值。上述资料对超高压地体热结构特征的研究提供了重要数据基础。     

Thermoplasticity and strain localization in transversely isotropic materials based on anisotropic critical state plasticity

Geomaterials such as soils and rocks are inherently anisotropic and sensitive to temperature changes caused by various internal and external processes. They are also susceptible to strain localization in the form of shear bands when subjected to critical loads. We present a thermoplastic framework for modeling coupled thermomechanical response and for predicting the inception of a shear band in a transversely isotropic material using the general framework of critical state plasticity and the specific framework of an anisotropic modified Cam–Clay model. The formulation incorporates anisotropy in both elastic and plastic responses under the assumption of infinitesimal deformation. The model is first calibrated using experimental data from triaxial tests to demonstrate its capability in capturing anisotropy in the mechanical response. Subsequently, stress‐point simulations of strain localization are carried out under two different conditions, namely, isothermal localization and adiabatic localization. The adiabatic formulation investigates the effect of temperature on localization via thermomechanical coupling. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the important role of anisotropy, hardening, and thermal softening on strain localization inception and orientation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

微观结构超压机制与超高压矿物的形成

提出了由岩石及矿物的结构形态、岩石力学性质不同引起的微结构超压机制。对影响结构超压的诸因素(弹性参数、热物理性质)进行了数值模拟实验和定量分析。研究结果表明，结构压力对超高压岩石、矿物的形成具有重要的意义。结构压力随弹性模量差异、围限压力、温度改变量及热膨胀系数差异的增加而增大。在岩石、矿物的弹性模量相差5倍的条件下，结构附加压力可达到静岩压力的45％左右。如果再考虑热膨胀系数不同及降温引起的附加压力，在较一般的情况下，60公里左右深处就有可能具备柯石英等超高压矿物形成的下限压力条件。     

Modeling of inherent anisotropic behavior of partially saturated clayey rocks

Clayey rocks are frequently chosen as a geological barrier material for underground repositories. The inherent anisotropic mechanical behavior and the evolution of mechanical behavior with water content are two crucial material properties for the safety analysis of these structures. The present paper focuses on numerical modeling of the inherent anisotropy and the effect of water content, as well as the interactions of these properties in partially saturated clayey rocks with preferably oriented bedding planes. A discrete thermodynamic approach is adopted for describing the inherent anisotropic mechanical behavior, and the anisotropy of the elastic parameters, plastic evolution and damage evolution are considered. Capillary pressure is introduced to describe the effect of the water content with the help of the effective stress concept, and a procedure for the identification of the model parameters is presented. Finally, the proposed model is applied to a study of triaxial compression tests of argillite with different orientations of the bedding planes and variable water content. In summary, the main features of the studied material are well reproduced by the model.     

On the strength of transversely isotropic rocks

Accurate prediction of strength in rocks with distinct bedding planes requires knowledge of the bedding plane orientation relative to the load direction. Thermal softening adds complexity to the problem since it is known to have significant influence on the strength and strain localization properties of rocks. In this paper, we use a recently proposed thermoplastic constitutive model appropriate for rocks exhibiting transverse isotropy in both the elastic and plastic responses to predict their strength and strain localization properties. Recognizing that laboratory‐derived strengths can be influenced by material and geometric inhomogeneities of the rock samples, we consider both stress‐point and boundary‐value problem simulations of rock strength behavior. Both plane strain and 3D loading conditions are considered. Results of the simulations of the strength of a natural Tournemire shale and a synthetic transversely isotropic rock suggest that the mechanical model can reproduce the general U‐shaped variation of rock strength with bedding plane orientation quite well. We show that this variation could depend on many factors, including the stress loading condition (plane strain versus 3D), degree of anisotropy, temperature, shear‐induced dilation versus shear‐induced compaction, specimen imperfections, and boundary restraints.