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DEM Modeling of Interaction Between the Propagating Fracture and Multiple Pre-existing Cemented Discontinuities in Shale

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Abstract

It is known that pre-existing discontinuities can act as planes of weakness that divert the propagating fractures in rocks, but previous studies have mostly focused on the interaction between the propagating fractures and a single pre-existing discontinuity. The influences of multiple pre-existing cemented discontinuities, such as calcite veins and bedding planes, on the fracture propagation still remain poorly understood. In this study, particle-based discrete element method was used to characterize the fracturing behavior of shale containing multiple cemented veins and bedding planes through numerical semi-circular bend (SCB) tests. Model results show that geometrical and mechanical properties of multiple pre-existing cemented discontinuities can significantly affect the interaction modes between the induced tensile fractures and pre-existing cemented discontinuities, as well as the mode I fracture toughness of shale. The typical mechanical interaction modes between the induced tensile fractures and the multiple pre-existing cemented discontinuities and the corresponding conditions are given. The effect of pre-coexisting discontinuities on the peak loads for shale during SCB tests is also discussed.

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Acknowledgements

Z.L. and H.X. are financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41502190) and Science Foundation of China University of Petroleum, Beijing (No. 2462014YJRC055). Z.Z. is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51509138 and No. 51779123).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Lab of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China

    Zhina Liu

  2. Department of Geology, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China

    Zhina Liu & Haoran Xu

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

    Haoran Xu & Zhihong Zhao

  4. CNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited, Beijing, China

    Zhaowei Chen

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  1. Zhina Liu
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  2. Haoran Xu
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  3. Zhihong Zhao
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  4. Zhaowei Chen
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Correspondence to Zhihong Zhao.

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Liu, Z., Xu, H., Zhao, Z. et al. DEM Modeling of Interaction Between the Propagating Fracture and Multiple Pre-existing Cemented Discontinuities in Shale. Rock Mech Rock Eng 52, 1993–2001 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1699-3

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