Propagation of a pre-existing turbulent fluid fracture

The propagation of rough and smooth wall pre-existing turbulent fluid fractures is investigated. The laminar fluid fracture is included as a special case for comparison. Lubrication theory is assumed to apply in the fracture and turbulence is introduced through the wall shear stress. The Perkins–Kern–Nordgren approximation is made in which the fluid pressure is proportional to the half-width of the fracture. The fracture half-width satisfies a non-linear diffusion equation. By using a linear combination of the Lie point symmetries of the non-linear diffusion equation a group invariant solution for the fracture length, volume and half-width is derived. The evolution of the length, half-width and mean flow velocity is analysed for a range of working conditions at the fracture entry. It is found that the mean flow velocity increases approximately linearly along the fracture.     

An asymptotic solution for fluid production from an elliptical hydraulic fracture at early-times

The early-time transient flow during the start-up of fluid production from a porous medium by a well intersected by a vertical elliptical hydraulic fracture is studied using an asymptotic analysis. The analysis is focused on the situation of practical interest where the fracture conductivity is high so that production from the fracture dominates. The first three terms in a short-time asymptotic expansion for the production rate during constant-pressure production, and for the well-pressure during constant-rate production, are obtained. It is shown that the fracture tip starts to influence the production rate only when the dimensionless time is increased to the square of the reciprocal of the dimensionless fracture conductivity. The asymptotic results also show that geometric factors of an elliptical fracture introduce non-negligible corrections to the so-called bilinear flow in the early times, which were previously erroneously associated with the effect of the fracture tip.     

Self-similar solution for deep-penetrating hydraulic fracture propagation

The propagation of a vertical hydraulic fracture of a constant height driven by a viscous fluid injected into a crack under constant pressure, is considered. The fracture is assumed to be rectangular, symmetric with respect to the well, and highly elongated in the horizontal direction (the Perkins and Kern model). The fracturing fluid viscosity is assumed to be different from the stratum saturating fluid viscosity, and the stratum fluid displacement by a fracturing fluid in a porous medium is assumed to be piston-like. The compressibility of the fracturing fluid is neglected. The stratum fluid motion is governed by the equation of transient seepage flow through a porous medium.A self-similar solution to the problem is constructed under the assumption of the quasi-steady character of the fracturing fluid flow in a crack and in a stratum and of a locally one-dimensional character of fluid-loss through the crack surfaces. Crack propagation under a constant injection pressure is characterized by a variation of the crack sizel in timet according to the lawl(t)=l _o (1+At)^1/4, where the constantA is the eigenvalue of the problem. In this case, the crack volume isVl, the seepage volume of fracturing fluidV _f l ³, and the flow rate of a fluid injected into a crack isQ ₀l ^–1.     

Early-time evolution of a radiative shock

We have performed high-energy-density physics experiments with large radiative fluxes, relevant to radiative shocks in our universe. These experiments were performed at the Omega Laser facility and used a laser irradiance of 7.2 × 10¹⁴ W cm^?2 to launch a Be disk into low-density Xe gas. The radiative shocks were observed early in time as the dense shocked Xe layer began to form. The average shock position indicates that the shock is moving over 130 km s^?1. Data are compared to simulation output from the CRASH code, which was developed at the Center for Radiative Shock Hydrodynamics at the University of Michigan.     

Self-similar solution of the hydraulic fracture problem for two closely spaced beams

The fracture of two closely spaced elastic beams by an incompressible viscous fluid is considered. The beam bending is described in the framework of the Kirchhoff-Love model. The self-similar solutions are sought by the group methods. The numerical results obtained when solving the corresponding system of differential equations with various boundary conditions are graphically illustrated in the form of pressure and velocity distributions within the fluid and in the form of the distance between the beams in the fracture zone.     

A solution to the hydraulic fracture problem in the traveling wave form

Solutions to the system of equations describing the propagation of hydraulic fracture cracks in a porous medium are obtained in the traveling wave form. The only sought solution is the separatrix of integral curves on the “penetration depth-crack width” plane. Some necessary dependencies that should be given at the crack inlet are found for the fluid flow rate and the fluid pressure. The crack width and the fluid penetration depth are related by power laws in the limiting cases when the crack propagation processes or the fluid penetration processes are dominant.     

Numerical solution of the coefficient inverse problems on nonstationary filtration to a well intersected by a hydraulic fracture

A computational algorithm is proposed to determine the reservoir and hydraulic fracture properties from the results of nonstationary hydrodynamic studies of vertical wells. The problem of oil flow to a well intersected by a fracture is solved numerically. Averaged permeabilities are used for cells through which the fracture propagates.     

Towards the solution of finite plane-strain problems for compressible elastic solids

A new approach to the solution of finite plane-strain problems for compressible Isotropie elastic solids is considered. The general problem is formulated in terms of a pair of deformation invariants different from those normally used, enabling the components of (nominal) stress to be expressed in terms of four functions, two of which are rotations associated with the deformation. Moreover, the inverse constitutive law can be written in a simple form involving the same two rotations, and this allows the problem to be formulated in a dual fashion.For particular choices of strain-energy function of the elastic material solutions are found in which the governing differential equations partially decouple, and the theory is then illustrated by simple examples. It is also shown how this part of the analysis is related to the work of F. John on harmonic materials.Detailed consideration is given to the problem of a circular cylindrical annulus whose inner surface is fixed and whose outer surface is subjected to a circular shear stress. We note, in particular, that material circles concentric with the annulus and near its surface decrease in radius whatever the form of constitutive law within the given class. Whether the volume of the material constituting the annulus increases or decreases depends on the form of law and the magnitude of the applied shear stress.     

Two-dimensional simulation of a hydraulic fracture crack cleaning process with consideration of lateral inflow of a fluid from the surrounding porous saturated rock

The cleaning of a hydraulic fracture crack filled with a fluid injected through a well is studied as one of the stages of oil extraction. A crack is considered as a porous medium whose permeability is much higher than that of the surrounding rock and whose length is several times larger than its width and is many times larger than its thickness. A two-dimensional model of this process is used; in this model it is assumed that a less viscous fluid displaces a more viscous fluid in a porous medium with consideration of inflow through the lateral surface of the crack.     

Numerical investigation of the temperature field in a reservoir with a hydraulic fracture

The temperature distribution in a reservoir with a hydraulic fracture is studied by numerical modeling of transient temperature fields taking into account the Joule–Thomson effect and the adiabatic effect. It is shown that the presence of a hydraulic fracture in the reservoir leads to a nonmonotonic change in the reservoir temperature: as the well pressure decreases, the temperature first decreases due to the adiabatic expansion of the fluid and then increases due to the Joule–Thomson effect. As the water–oil displacement front approaches the wellbore, the temperature decreases slightly due to heat exchange in the fracture–reservoir system.     

Phase-field modeling of hydraulic fracture

In this work a theoretical framework implementing the phase-field approach to fracture is used to couple the physics of flow through porous media and cracks with the mechanics of fracture. The main modeling challenge addressed in this work, which is a challenge for all diffuse crack representations, is on how to allow for the flow of fluid and the action of fluid pressure on the aggregate within the diffuse damage zone of the cracks. The theory is constructed by presenting the general physical balance laws and conducting a consistent thermodynamic analysis to constrain the constitutive relationships. Constitutive equations that reproduce the desired responses at the various limits of the phase-field parameter are proposed in order to capture Darcy-type flow in the intact porous medium and Stokes-type flow within open cracks. A finite element formulation for the solution of the governing model equations is presented and discussed. Finally, the theoretical and numerical model is shown to compare favorably to several important analytical solutions. More complex and interesting calculations are also presented to illustrate some of the advantageous features of the approach.     

Self-similar solution of the problem of pseudo-three-dimensional vertical hydraulic fracture propagation in an impermeable stratum

The initial stage of propagation of a vertical hydraulic fracture in an impermeable or low-permeability stratum is considered within the framework of the pseudo-three-dimensional Perkins-Kern model.Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6, pp. 79–86, November–December, 1995.     

Gas-condensate flow in the vicinity of a hydraulic fracture

The problem of gas-condensate flow in the vicinity of a production well with a hydraulic fracture is considered. In the matrix, the flow is assumed to be three-dimensional, and at the fracture, it is assumed to be two-dimensional. It is shown that, for steady-state flow, the problem is split into a physicochemical problem (of phase transitions) and a filtration problem (of determining the pressure field). Numerical solutions are constructed for a rectangular fracture with finite and infinite conductivities. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 128–136, May–June, 2008.     

Characterization of crack tip stresses in plane-strain fracture specimens having weld center crack

Fracture toughness of metals depends strongly on the state of stress near the crack tip. The existing standards (like R-6, SINTAP) are being modified to account for the influence of stress triaxiality in the flaw assessment procedures. These modifications are based on the ability of so-called ‘constraint parameters’ to describe near tip stresses. Crack tip stresses in homogeneous fracture specimens are successfully described in terms of two parameters like J–Q or J–T. For fracture specimens having a weld center crack, strength mismatch ratio between base and weld material and weld width are the additional variables, along with the magnitude of applied loading, type of loading, and geometry of specimen that affect the crack tip stresses. In this work, a novel three-parameter scheme was proposed to estimate the crack tip opening stress accounting for the above-mentioned variables. The first and second parameters represent the crack tip opening stress in a homogeneous fracture specimen under small-scale yielding and are well known. The third parameter accounts for the effect of constraint developed due to weld strength mismatch. It comprises of weld strength mismatch ratio (M, i.e. ratio of yield strength of weld material to that of base material), and a plastic interaction factor (I_p) that scales the size of the plastic zone with the width of the weld material. The plastic interaction factor represents the degree of influence of weld strength mismatch on crack tip constraint for a given mismatch ratio. The proposed scheme was validated with detailed FE analysis using the Modified Boundary Layer formulation.     

Propagation of a penny-shaped fluid-driven fracture in an impermeable rock: asymptotic solutions

This paper presents an analysis of the propagation of a penny-shaped hydraulic fracture in an impermeable elastic rock. The fracture is driven by an incompressible Newtonian fluid injected from a source at the center of the fracture. The fluid flow is modeled according to lubrication theory, while the elastic response is governed by a singular integral equation relating the crack opening and the fluid pressure. It is shown that the scaled equations contain only one parameter, a dimensionless toughness, which controls the regimes of fracture propagation. Asymptotic solutions for zero and large dimensionless toughness are constructed. Finally, the regimes of fracture propagation are analyzed by matching the asymptotic solutions with results of a numerical algorithm applicable to arbitrary toughness.     

Elastodynamic solution for plane-strain response of functionally graded thick hollow cylinders by analytical method

An elastodynamic solution for plane-strain response of functionally graded thick hollow cylinders subjected to uniformly-distributed dynamic pressures at boundary surfaces is presented. The material properties, except Poisson’s ratio, are assumed to vary through the thickness according to a power law function. To achieve an exact solution, the dynamic radial displacement is divided into two quasi-static and dynamic parts, and for each part, an analytical solution is derived. The quasi-static solution is obtained by means of Euler’s equation, and the dynamic solution is derived using the method of the separation of variables and the orthogonal expansion technique. The radial displacement and stress distributions are plotted for various functionally graded material (FGM) hollow cylinders under different dynamic loads, and the advantages of the presented method are discussed. The proposed analytical solution is suitable for analyzing various arrangements of hollow FGM cylinders with arbitrary thickness and arbitrary initial conditions, which are subjected to arbitrary forms of dynamic pressures distributed uniformly on their boundary surfaces.     

Elastodynamic solution for plane-strain response of functionally graded thick hollow cylinders by analytical method

An elastodynamic solution for plane-strain response of functionally graded thick hollow cylinders subjected to uniformly-distributed dynamic pressures at boundary surfaces is presented. The material properties, except Poisson’s ratio, are assumed to vary through the thickness according to a power law function. To achieve an exact solution, the dynamic radial displacement is divided into two quasi-static and dynamic parts, and for each part, an analytical solution is derived. The quasi-static solution is obtained by means of Euler’s equation, and the dynamic solution is derived using the method of the separation of variables and the orthogonal expansion technique. The radial displacement and stress distributions are plotted for various functionally graded material (FGM) hollow cylinders under different dynamic loads, and the advantages of the presented method are discussed. The proposed analytical solution is suitable for analyzing various arrangements of hollow FGM cylinders with arbitrary thickness and arbitrary initial conditions, which are subjected to arbitrary forms of dynamic pressures distributed uniformly on their boundary surfaces.     

Dynamic fracture: an example of convergence towards a discontinuous quasistatic solution

Considering a one-dimensional problem of debonding of a thin film in the context of Griffith’s theory, we show that the dynamical solution converges, when the speed of loading goes down to 0, to a quasistatic solution including an unstable phase of propagation. In particular, the jump of the debonding induced by this instability is governed by a principle of conservation of the total quasistatic energy, the kinetic energy being negligible.