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  5. Growth of three-dimensional fractures, arrays, and networks in brittle rocks under tension and compression
 
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Growth of three-dimensional fractures, arrays, and networks in brittle rocks under tension and compression
File(s)
Thomas_Paluszny_Zimmerman_C&G_second_revision.pdf (8.9 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Thomas, Robin
Paluszny, Adriana
Zimmerman, Robert W
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Concurrent growth of multiple fractures in brittle rock is a complex process due to mechanical interaction effects. Fractures can amplify or shield stress on other fracture tips, and stress field perturbations change continuously during fracture growth. A three-dimensional, finite-element based, quasi-static growth algorithm is validated for mixed mode fracture growth in linear elastic media, and is used to investigate concurrent fracture growth in arrays and networks. Growth is governed by fracture tip stress intensity factors, which quantify the energy contributing to fracture extension, and are validated against analytical solutions for fractures under compression and tension, demonstrating that growth is accurate even in coarsely meshed domains. Isolated fracture geometries are compared to wing cracks grown in experiments on brittle media. A novel formulation of a Paris-type extension criterion is introduced to handle concurrent fracture growth. Fracture and volume-based growth rate exponents are shown to modify fracture interaction patterns. A geomechanical discrete fracture network is generated and examined during its growth, whose properties are the direct result of the imposed anisotropic stress field and mutual fracture interaction. Two-dimensional cut-plane views of the network demonstrate how fractures would appear in outcrops, and show the variability in fracture traces arising during interaction and growth.
Date Acceptance
2020-01-08
Citation
Computers and Geotechnics, 121
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/75915
URL
https://www.journals.elsevier.com/computers-and-geotechnics
DOI
https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103447
ISSN
0266-352X
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Computers and Geotechnics
Volume
121
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Tata Steel UK Ltd
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Identifier
https://www.journals.elsevier.com/computers-and-geotechnics
Grant Number
309067
NE/L000660/1
UF160443
NE/R018065/1
Subjects
fracture growth
fracture interaction
fracture networks
fracture mechanics
stress intensity factor
quasi-static growth
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 103447
Date Publish Online
2020-01-21
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