Quantification of Aperture and Relations Between Aperture,Normal Stress and Fluid Flow for Natural Single Rock Fractures

Accurate quantification of rock fracture aperture is important in investigating hydro-mechanical properties of rock fractures. Liquefied wood’s metal was used successfully to determine the spatial distribution of aperture with normal stress for natural single rock fractures. A modified 3D box counting method is developed and applied to quantify the spatial variation of rock fracture aperture with normal stress. New functional relations are developed for the following list: (a) Aperture fractal dimension versus effective normal stress; (b) Aperture fractal dimension versus mean aperture; (c) Fluid flow rate per unit hydraulic gradient per unit width versus mean aperture; (d) Fluid flow rate per unit hydraulic gradient per unit width versus aperture fractal dimension. The aperture fractal dimension was found to be a better parameter than mean aperture to correlate to fluid flow rate of natural single rock fractures. A highly refined variogram technique is used to investigate possible existence of aperture anisotropy. It was observed that the scale dependent fractal parameter, K _v, plays a more prominent role than the fractal dimension, D _a1d, on determining the anisotropy pattern of aperture data. A combined factor that represents both D _a1d and K _v, D _a1d × K _v, is suggested to capture the aperture anisotropy.     

吉林省临江市横路岭金矿地质特征及找矿思路

吉林省临江市横路岭金矿位于辽吉古元古宙裂谷中段太子河至浑江陷褶断束(Ⅲ)老岭断块(Ⅳ)以及浑江上游凹褶断束(Ⅳ)鸭绿江凹褶断束(Ⅳ)三个构造单元交汇区域,荒沟山"S"型构造带的中南部。矿体产于珍珠门组(Pt1z)与花山组(Pt1hs)接触带附近,受接触带之间的断裂构造(F1)控制,容矿构造为与F1断裂平行或小角度斜交的次级断裂,从容矿构造的规模及所处位置分析,Ⅰ-3号、Ⅰ-8号矿体具有较大的工作价值。     

A Grey Fuzzy Comprehensive Model for Evaluation of Geological Structure Complexity

Several structure sets (faults and folds) are characterized by their self-similarity properties. Herein, we discuss the degrees of complexity of fractures by introducing the box-counting fractal dimension of faults as a key criterion to be used in comprehensive fuzzy analysis model for evaluation of the complexity of structures. Totally, eight criteria including density, intensity, length of faults, types and box-counting fractal dimension of faults, the intersection angle between faults and coal beds, gradient coefficients, dip angles of the coal beds, and variation coefficients of dip angles of the coal seams, were used for the evaluation purpose. The grey fuzzy comprehensive assessment model was used to rank the relative importance of these criteria. Scores indicating the complexity of structure were calculated on the base of criteria values and their weights for each sub-area of the study area in the Pansan (潘三) coal mine district in the southern Anhui (安徽) Province, China. The result on the calculated complexity of structure is useful for mining planning in the study area.     

隧道区岩体结构特征分析及量化

裂隙岩体独特的裂隙网络结构,控制了其内在的各种力学及水力学行为。因而对裂隙岩体网络结构特征的研究,成为对裂隙岩体水力学特性研究的基础。文章结合石太客运专线特长隧道（太行山隧道）分析了隧道区裂隙发育特征及地质构造对渗透性的影响,量化裂隙岩体结构特征,为准确地预测隧道涌、突水位置及水量提供了理论的依据。     

Effect of sorption intensities on dispersivity and macro-dispersion coefficient in a single fracture with matrix diffusion

Matrix diffusion and sorption are among the key processes impacting the efficiency of natural attenuation in the subsurface. While these processes have been studied extensively in fractured media, limited information exists on the sorption nonlinearity. To address this shortfall, a numerical model has been developed that couples matrix diffusion and nonlinear sorption at the scale of a single fracture using the dual-porosity concept. The study is limited to a constant continuous-solute-source boundary condition. The influence of sorption intensities on dispersivity and macro-dispersion coefficient is investigated using a method of spatial moments. Results suggest that mixing of solutes is significantly lowered by nonlinear sorptive behavior, with respect to the mixing caused by matrix diffusion for linearly sorbing solutes. Also, the magnitude of time dependent dispersivity during the pre-asymptotic regime is lower for nonlinearly sorbing solutes with respect to the linearly sorbing solutes. Reduced mixing is also observed for nonlinearly sorbing solutes under combined mechanisms of matrix diffusion and decay.

---

Résumé Les phénomènes de diffusion et de sorption comptent parmi les processus clés qui influent sur l’atténuation naturelle en subsurface. Si ces processus ont été massivement étudiés en milieu fracturé, il existe en revanche peu d’informations sur la non-linéarité de la sorption. Afin de combler cette lacune, un modèle numérique a été développé ; il couple la diffusion dans la matrice et la sorption non-linéaire à l’échelle d’une fracture unitaire en utilisant le concept de double porosité. La seule condition aux limites fixée pour toute l’étude est une source de soluté constante et continue. L’influence de l’intensité de la sorption sur la dispersivité et sur le coefficient de macro-dispersion est étudié via une méthode utilisant les moments spatiaux. Les résultats suggèrent que les mélanges de solutés sont significativement réduits par les phénomènes de sorption non-linéaires, comparativement aux mélanges causés par la diffusion pour des solutés à sorption linéaire. C’est pourquoi la dispersivité, dépendante du temps, est plus faible pour les solutés à sorption non-linéaire que pour les solutés à sorption linéaire, lors du régime pré-asymptotique. Des mélanges réduits ont également été observés pour des solutés à sorption non-linéaire, sous les mécanismes combinés de diffusion dans la matrice et de dégradation.

---

Resumen La difusión intersticial y la adsorción se encuentran entre los procesos clave que impactan la eficiencia de la atenuación natural en el subsuelo. Mientras que estos procesos se han estudiado extensamente en medios fracturados existe información limitada acerca de la no linealidad de la adsorción. Para abordar esta situación se ha desarrollado un modelo numérico que acopla la difusión intersticial y la adsorción no lineal a la escala de una sola fractura usando el concepto de porosidad doble. El estudio se restringe a condiciones limitantes de fuente de soluto constante y continuo. Se investiga la influencia de las intensidades de adsorción sobre el coeficiente de dispersión-macro y dispersividad usando un método de momentos espaciales. Los resultados sugieren que la mezcla de solutos disminuye significativamente mediante comportamiento de adsorción no lineal, en relación con la mezcla causada por difusión intersticial para solutos con adsorción lineal. Se observa que la magnitud de la dispersividad dependiente del tiempo durante el régimen pre-asintótico es más baja para solutos con adsorción no lineales en relación a los solutos con adsorción lineal. También se observa mezcla reducida para solutos con adsorción no lineal bajo mecanismos combinados de difusión intersticial y desintegración.

     

利用方位角道集处理方法预测煤层裂隙

煤层瓦斯含量受多种因素影响,而煤层中的节理裂隙密集带则容易导致瓦斯聚积。在煤田地质勘探中,依据振幅随炮点和检波点入射角的变化可以预测裂隙的发育方向和发育密度。在对淮南地区张集西三煤矿的三维地震数据资料处理时,按不同的方位角增量抽取方位角道集,并对其方位角道集进行速度分析、NMO校正、叠加和偏移,得到6个方位偏移数据体。根据Malick等人的理论模型对其进行计算,获得d、A、B值,并据此预测裂缝发育方向与发育密度。将其预测成果与常规地震解释成果对比,发现两者之间非常吻合,可见利用方位角道集处理方法预测煤层裂隙具有可行性。     

复杂岩性油藏精细描述研究进展

复杂岩性油藏作为目前油田开发中十分重要的油藏类型之一,其精细描述一直受到研究者的关注和重视。为了给有效开发和调整部署提供依据,系统梳理了目前复杂岩性油藏精细描述中存在的主要问题、主要研究内容和技术发展方向,并总结复杂岩性油藏研究进展。从国内复杂岩性油藏精细描述研究现状入手,总结了该项研究存在的6项主要问题,主要包括岩性岩相识别与分类、储层地质成因分析难度大、地层精细划分与对比具有特殊性、裂缝表征难度很大、测井精细二次解释精度低、地质建模井间储层预测准确率低等。基于文献调研和综述,结合科研实践,认为复杂岩性油藏精细描述核心内容包括岩性岩相识别与分类、储层地质成因机制分析、储集空间识别和描述、储层物性精细测井解释和储层地质建模等5个方面。在此基础上,指出了该项研究的发展趋势,主要包括地层精细划分与对比、微观孔隙结构表征、储层裂缝表征、储层综合定量评价和流体识别等。     

The role of bedding in the evolution of meso- and microstructural fabrics in fault zones

To investigate the role of bedding in the evolution of meso- and microstructural fabrics in fault zones, detailed microscopic, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses were conducted on bedding-oblique and bedding-parallel faults that cut a folded Neogene siliceous mudstone that contains opal-CT, smectite, and illite. An analysis of asymmetric structures in the fault gouges indicates that the secondary fractures associated with each fault exhibit contrasting characteristics: those of the bedding-oblique fault are R₁ shears, whereas those of the bedding-parallel fault are reactivated S foliation. The bedding-oblique fault shows the pervasive development of S foliation, lacks opal-CT, and has low SiO₂/TiO₂ ratios only in gouge, whereas the bedding-parallel fault exhibits these characteristics in both gouge and wall rocks. The development of S foliation and the lack of silica can result from local ductile deformation involving the sliding of phyllosilicates, coupled with pressure solution of opal-CT. Although such deformation can occur in gouge, the above results indicate that it may occur preferentially along bedding planes, preceding the formation of a gouge/slip surface. Thus, in sedimentary rocks that contain phyllosilicates and soluble minerals, bedding can influence the rheological evolution of meso- and microstructural fabrics in fault zones.     

Simulation of mixed-mode fracture using SPH particles with an embedded fracture process zone

This paper focuses on the modelling of mixed-mode fracture using the conventional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method and a mixed-mode cohesive fracture law embedded in the particles. The combination of conventional SPH and a mixed-mode cohesive model allows capturing fracture and separation under various loading conditions efficiently. The key advantage of this framework is its capability to represent complex fracture geometries by a set of cracked SPH particles, each of which can possess its own mixed-mode cohesive fracture with arbitrary orientations. Therefore, this can naturally capture complex fracture patterns without any predefined fracture topologies. Because a characteristic length scale related to the size of the fracture process zone is incorporated in the constitutive formulation, the proposed approach is independent from the spatial discretisation of the computational domain (or mesh independent). Furthermore, the anisotropic fracture responses of materials can be naturally captured thanks to the orientation of the fracture process zone embedded at the particle level. The performance of the proposed approach demonstrates its potentials in modelling mixed-mode fracture of rocks and similar quasi-brittle materials.     

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.