Method for macro-microscopic damage observation of rock hydraulic fracturing based on dic and thin section techniques

Abstract

This study conducted systematic studies and in-depth analyses of micromechanics of hydraulically induced crack propagation. This study introduced a method for observing macromicroscopic damage in rock hydraulic fracturing based on DIC and thin-section techniques. We developed an advanced sealed visualization system equipped with high-speed cameras and macrolenses to facilitate precise observation of the hydraulic fracturing process. Additionally, Digital Image Correlation was used to accurately track and analyze the evolution of fractures. Our methodology clearly distinguished between intergranular and transgranular cracks using polarized light microscopy, thereby offering novel insights into grain-scale damage and strain localization within crystalline rocks. This research contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying hydraulic fracturing at both the macroscopic and microscopic scales.