A numerical study of fracture spacing and through-going fracture formation in layered rocks

•Study of fracture pattern formation in layered rocks using the FEMDEM method.•Focus on fracture spacing to layer thickness ratio and through-going fracture.•Explicit simulation of interface delamination and slipping between layers.•Modelling of the effect of vertical pressure on fracture across lay...

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Veröffentlicht in:International journal of solids and structures 2017-04, Vol.110-111, p.44-57
Hauptverfasser: Guo, Liwei, Latham, John-Paul, Xiang, Jiansheng
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:•Study of fracture pattern formation in layered rocks using the FEMDEM method.•Focus on fracture spacing to layer thickness ratio and through-going fracture.•Explicit simulation of interface delamination and slipping between layers.•Modelling of the effect of vertical pressure on fracture across layer interface.•Verification examples of Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion and Coulomb friction law. Naturally fractured reservoirs are an important source of hydrocarbons. Computational models capable of generating fracture geometries according to geomechanical principles offer a means to create a numerical representation of a more realistic rock mass structure. In this work, the combined finite-discrete element method is applied to investigate fracture patterns in layered rocks. First, a three-layer model undergoing layer normal compression is simulated with the aim of examining the controls on fracture spacing in layered rocks. Second, a seven-layer model with low competence contrast is modelled under direct tension parallel to the layering and bending conditions with the focus on investigating through-going fracture formation across layer interfaces. The numerical results give an insight into the understanding of various mechanisms that contribute to fracture pattern development in layered rocks.
ISSN:0020-7683
1879-2146
DOI:10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2017.02.004