Generalized fracturing activation criteria

TONG Hengmao; ZHANG Hongxiang; HOU Quanlin; CHEN Zhengle; HOU Guiting

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2023180

2024 Vol. 30, No. 1

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TONG Hengmao, ZHANG Hongxiang, HOU Quanlin, CHEN Zhengle, HOU Guiting. 2024. Generalized fracturing activation criteria. Journal of Geomechanics, 30(1): 3-14. doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2023180

Citation:

TONG Hengmao, ZHANG Hongxiang, HOU Quanlin, CHEN Zhengle, HOU Guiting. 2024. Generalized fracturing activation criteria. Journal of Geomechanics, 30(1): 3-14. doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2023180

Generalized fracturing activation criteria

1.
State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Exploration, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
2.
School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
3.
Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100086, China
4.
School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Fund Project: This research is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 41272160 and 20772086) and the National Oil and Gas Major Projects (Grants No. 2011zx05-006-02-01 and 2011zx5023-004-012).

Received Date: 06 November 2023

Revised Date: 29 December 2023

Accepted Date: 12 January 2024

Available Online: 02 February 2024

Publish Date: 03 February 2024

Abstract

Abstract

Objective
Rock fracturing and its subsequent activations are the most basic tectonic deformation modes. However, the classical fracturing criteria (Coulomb-Mohr criterion, Griffith criterion, and Byerlee sliding-friction law) have different limitations in practical applications.
Methods
Based on the classical fracturing criteria and the analysis of the physical nature of fracturing generation (extensional fracturing and shear fracturing), combined with the generalized shear activation criterion and long-term research practice, a "generalized fracturing activation criterion" is proposed through theoretical analysis in this paper.
Conclusion
This criterion can be used to quantitatively determine the possibility and types of fracturing of any medium, under any triaxial stress state, and at any orientation interface (including pre-existing weak surface and non-weakness surface). It unifies the Coulomb-Mohr criterion, Byerlee's law, and Griffith's criterion, and extends fracturing to fracturing activation.
Significance
The proposed criterion has broad application prospects in the fracturing activation-related resource (such as shale gas and hot, dry rock) exploration and development and prediction and prevention of natural disasters (such as earthquakes and landslides).
- fracturing /
- fracturing activity /
- pre-existing structure /
- Coulomb-Mohr criterion /
- Byerlee law /
- Griffith criterion /
- generalized fracturing activation criterion

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References

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