Compaction of a Rock Fracture Moderated by Competing Roles of Stress Corrosion and Pressure Solution |
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Authors: | Hideaki Yasuhara Derek Elsworth |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan;(2) Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA |
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Abstract: | Unusually rapid closure of stressed fractures, observed in the initial stages of loading and at low temperatures, is examined
using models for subcritical crack growth and pressure solution. The model for stress corrosion examines tensile stress concentrations
induced at the Hertzian contact of propping fracture asperities, and mediates fracture growth according to a kinetic rate
law. Conversely, pressure solution is described by the rate-limiting process of dissolution, resulting from the elevated stresses
realized at the propping asperity contact. Both models are capable of following the observed compaction of fractures in novaculite.
However, closure rates predicted for stress corrosion cracking are orders of magnitudes faster than those predicted for pressure
dissolution. For consistent kinetic parameters, predictions from stress corrosion better replicate experimental observations,
especially in the short-term and at low temperature when mechanical effects are anticipated to dominate. Rates and magnitudes
of both stress corrosion and pressure solution are dependent on stresses exerted over propping asperities. Rates of closure
due to stress corrosion cracking are shown to be always higher than for pressure solution, except where stress corrosion ceases
as contact areas grow, and local stresses drop below an activation threshold. A simple rate law is apparent for the progress
of fracture closure, defined in terms of a constant and an exponent applied to the test duration. For current experimental
observations, this rate law is shown to replicate early progress data, and shows promise to define the evolution of transport
properties of fractures over extended durations. |
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Keywords: | :" target="_blank">: Stress corrosion pressure solution fracture compaction geochemistry |
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