Double fracture method ofin situ stress measurement in brittle rock

Summary A new technique, the Double Fracture Method ofin situ stress measurement, is described with regard to its theoretical principles and field instrumentation. The method differs from the hydraulic fracture method in that the loading fluid is prevented from penetrating into the induced fractures. In the new method, the loading pressure is raised to create a set of two mutually perpendicular microfractures on the borehole boundary. The principal stresses and their orientation in the plane normal to the borehole can be deduced from the diametral deformation of the borehole. Laboratory and field measurements validating the method are discussed.