Abstract
In order to investigate geophysical indicators of permeability changes in subsurface fractures, we conducted an experimental study on the hydraulic–mechanical–seismic coupled behaviors of granite fractures with surface roughness under stress conditions during hydraulic shearing. Our laboratory experiment yielded the following insights: (1) The “self-propping shear slip concept” unequivocally serves as the primary mechanism for maintaining the increase in fracture permeability of granite, even under stress conditions exceeding approximately 50 MPa. (2) The Gutenberg–Richter b-value gradually decreases during shear dilation and accompanying increase in fracture permeability. Thus, it could serve as an indicator for assessing changes in fracture permeability. (3) The evolution amplitude in acoustic emissions (AEs), as well as the classification of tensile/shear modes and the timing of our maximum amplitude of AE occurrence, do not seem to provide useful information for estimating fracture permeability changes during hydraulic shear slip. The reduction in b-value can be attributed to the spontaneous formation of preferential flow paths during the injection of pressurized fluid into the rock fracture and the subsequent detachment of the small contacting asperities due to localized shear slips, which naturally lead to the creation of porosity and irreversible increase in fracture permeability.
Highlights
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Hydraulic-mechanical-seismic coupled behaviors of granitic fracture are investigated during hydraulic shearing experiments in the laboratory.
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b-value gradually decreases during shear dilation and associated permeability increase of granitic fracture with rough surfaces.
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There is no clear correlation between fracture permeability change and amplitude/occurrence timing of AEmax amp. during hydraulic shearing.
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Data availability statement
The data to reproduce this work are available from the corresponding author: Takuya Ishibashi (takuya.ishibashi@aist.go.jp).
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Acknowledgements
The authors extend gratitude to Yusuke Mukuhira (Tohoku University, Japan) and Kyosuke Okamoto (AIST, Japan) for their valuable advice in the seismological analysis. This study was partly supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP19K15495 (to T.I) and by METI, Japan through the International Research Program for Innovative Energy Technology (to H.A).
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Ishibashi, T., Asanuma, H. Investigating Geophysical Indicators of Permeability Change During Laboratory Hydraulic Shearing of Granitic Fractures with Surface Roughness. Rock Mech Rock Eng (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03590-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03590-y