Loading...

An X-FEM investigation of hydro-fracture evolution in naturally-layered domains

Vahab, M ; Sharif University of Technology | 2018

624 Viewed
  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2018.01.025
  3. Publisher: Elsevier Ltd , 2018
  4. Abstract:
  5. In this paper, a computational model is developed for the simulation of hydro-fracture growth in naturally layered impervious media using the extended finite element method (X-FEM). The equilibrium equation of the bulk is solved in conjunction with the hydro-fracture inflow and continuity equations using the staggered Newton method. The hydro-fracture inflow is governed by the lubrication theory, where the permeability of the fracture is incorporated by taking advantage of the cubic law. The Eigen-function expansion method is utilised in order to develop enrichment functions suited for the asymptotic stress field in the vicinity of the singular points. An energy release rate-based criterion is used in order to study the competition between hydro-fracture penetration/deflection at the material interface. Finally, the robustness of the computational framework is explored by means of numerical simulation. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd
  6. Keywords:
  7. Hydraulic fracture growth ; Staggered Newton algorithm ; X-FEM ; Computation theory ; Fracture ; Hydraulic fracturing ; Interfaces (materials) ; Newton-Raphson method ; Asymptotic stress field ; Computational framework ; Eigenfunction expansions ; Enrichment functions ; Extended finite element method ; Layered domain ; Newton algorithm ; Singular enrichment strategy ; Finite element method
  8. Source: Engineering Fracture Mechanics ; Volume 191 , March , 2018 , Pages 187-204 ; 00137944 (ISSN)
  9. URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013794417311797