Modelling fluid injection-induced fracture activation, damage growth, seismicity occurrence and connectivity change in naturally fractured rocks

• Published in: International journal of rock mechanics and mining sciences (Oxford, England : 1997) Vol. 138; p. 104598
• Main Authors: Lei, Qinghua, Gholizadeh Doonechaly, Nima, Tsang, Chin-Fu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Computational fluid dynamics; Connectivity; Crack propagation; Earthquake damage; Enhanced geothermal systems; Evolution; Finite element method; Fluid flow; Fluid injection; Fracture network; Fractures; Geoengineering; Geomechanics; Hydraulic stimulation; Hydro-mechanical coupling; Induced seismicity; Injection; Mathematical models; Mechanical properties; Numerical models; Percolation; Permeability; Pore pressure; Pore water pressure; Porous media; Rock masses; Rocks; Seismic activity; Seismicity; Induced seismicity; Hydraulic stimulation; Fracture network; Hydro-mechanical coupling
• ISSN: 1365-1609; 1873-4545; 1873-4545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2020.104598

We develop a fully-coupled hydro-mechanical model to simulate fluid injection-induced activation of pre-existing fractures, propagation of new damages, development of seismic activities, and alteration of network connectivity in naturally fractured rocks. The natural fracture system is represented b...