Numerical Modeling of Complex Stress State in a Fault Damage Zone and Its Implication on Near‐Fault Seismic Activity

Sainoki, Atsushi; Schwartzkopff, Adam Karl; Jiang, Lishuai; Mitri, Hani S.

doi:10.1029/2021jb021784

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 145 publications

(268 reference statements)

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“…Numerical simulations and field observations suggest that the formation of off‐fault fractures is affected by factors like fault geometry and co‐seismic displacement, tectonic environment and ambient stress state (Faulkner et al., 2011; Gabriel et al., 2021; Okubo et al., 2019; Sainoki et al., 2021; Wu et al., 2019). A key property of off‐fault fractures is that their density decreases with increasing distance from the fault core, typically following a power‐law scaling that depends on long‐term stress evolution, rock type, and fault maturity (Sainoki et al., 2021).…”

Section: Model Setupmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Numerous studies have characterized the fault damage zone focusing on its width and fracture distribution, as these are critical for fluid transport, naturally in the context of fault-valving effects and fault healing, but also in industrial applications like oil and gas exploration, geothermal production, or waste-water injection (Faulkner et al, 2010(Faulkner et al, , 2011Rice, 1992). Numerical simulations and field observations suggest that the formation of offfault fractures is affected by factors like fault geometry and co-seismic displacement, tectonic environment and ambient stress state (Faulkner et al, 2011;Gabriel et al, 2021;Okubo et al, 2019;Sainoki et al, 2021;Wu et al, 2019). A key property of off-fault fractures is that their density decreases with increasing distance from the fault core, typically following a power-law scaling that depends on long-term stress evolution, rock type, and fault maturity (Sainoki et al, 2021).…”

Section: Fracture Network Constructionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rupture Dynamics of Cascading Earthquakes in a Multiscale Fracture Network

Palgunadi,

Gabriel,

Garagash

et al. 2024

JGR Solid Earth

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Fault‐damage zones comprise multiscale fracture networks that may slip dynamically and interact with the main fault during earthquake rupture. Using 3D dynamic rupture simulations and scale‐dependent fracture energy, we examine dynamic interactions of more than 800 intersecting multiscale fractures surrounding a listric fault, emulating a major listric fault and its damage zone. We investigate 10 distinct orientations of maximum horizontal stress, probing the conditions necessary for sustained slip within the fracture network or activating the main fault. Additionally, we assess the feasibility of nucleating dynamic rupture earthquake cascades from a distant fracture and investigate the sensitivity of fracture network cascading rupture to the effective normal stress level. We model either pure cascades or main fault rupture with limited off‐fault slip. We find that cascading ruptures within the fracture network are dynamically feasible under certain conditions, including: (a) the fracture energy scales with fracture and fault size, (b) favorable relative pre‐stress of fractures within the ambient stress field, and (c) close proximity of fractures. We find that cascading rupture within the fracture network discourages rupture on the main fault. Our simulations suggest that fractures with favorable relative pre‐stress, embedded within a fault damage zone, may lead to cascading earthquake rupture that shadows main fault slip. We find that such off‐fault events may reach moment magnitudes up to Mw ≈ 5.5, comparable to magnitudes that can be otherwise hosted by the main fault. Our findings offer insights into physical processes governing cascading earthquake dynamic rupture within multiscale fracture networks.

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Section: Model Setupmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Fracture Network Constructionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rupture Dynamics of Cascading Earthquakes in a Multiscale Fracture Network

Palgunadi,

Gabriel,

Garagash

et al. 2024

JGR Solid Earth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The key issue is to reveal the induced slip behavior of faults in th complex fluid-solid coupling process. Numerical simulation has become an indispensab method, offering several key advantages: (1) the capability to model complex geologica structures [34,35]; (2) the flexibility to simulate varied fluid flow conditions [36,37]; an (3) the ability to solve multi-field coupling [38]. In this work, our investigation focused o analyzing the behavior of induced fault slips and earthquakes using numerical modelin techniques.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Structural Symmetry of Fault Zones on Fluid-Induced Fault Slips and Earthquakes

Niu,

Bai

2024

Water

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Subsurface fluid injection and extraction can reactivate faults and induce earthquakes. In current research, faults are typically described as symmetrical structures and the presence of asymmetric structures is often overlooked. The reality is that numerous asymmetric faults exist within the Earth’s crust. The architectural and permeability characteristics of fault zones differ significantly between symmetrical and asymmetrical faults. These differences may have a great influence on fault stability during fluid injection or extraction. In this study, the impact of fault zone structures on fluid-induced slips and seismic activity were investigated through numerical analysis. The findings indicated that symmetrical faults were more likely to induce larger slips and earthquakes during various subsurface fluid operations. For asymmetric faults, larger induced slips occurred when fluid was operated in a hanging wall reservoir than in a footwall reservoir. In symmetrical faults, the opposite was true. When evaluating the stability of a fault in subsurface fluid engineering, the fault structure and fluid pattern and their combined effects must be considered comprehensively.

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“…Ma et al [28] reproduced the dynamic process and fracturing mode of the overlying rock layer through the M-JHB-4DLSM model experiment, which is of great significance for studying the impact effect of near-buried blasting tunnels. Through theoretical analysis and on-site measurement methods, Sainoki et al [29,30] summarized the principle and applicability of stopping mining and yielding pressure during the final mining stage, combined with the pressure law of the working face. Wang et al [31] proposed a mechanical model that considers the stress redistribution caused by mining in the working face and calculates the stress distribution on the fracture surface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Stress Evolution and Strengthening Support Timing of the Retracement Channel under the Super-Thick Nappe

Zhu,

Yue,

Gao

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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The superposition effect of the advanced support pressure of the working face in the final mining stage and the lateral support stress of the roadway is a key factor affecting the stability of the retracement channel. To study the stress evolution of the retracement channel under the super-thick nappe and the timing of strengthening support, this paper takes the mining of the 360808 working face in Xinji No. 1 Mine as the engineering background, analyzes the occurrence conditions of the working face and the measured rock pressure law, and constructs a roof structure model of the retreat area. The UDEC discrete element numerical simulation software was used to analyze the evolution characteristics of concentrated stress and the failure law of surrounding rock around the retracement channel under gradual excavation conditions. Based on the relationship between the position of the main roof fracture and the stability of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel, the instability mechanism of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel was revealed. A mechanical model of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel under the condition of a gradient coal pillar was established, and the energy criterion K for the instability of the surrounding rock was obtained. The method of adding anchor cables to strengthen the support of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel was proposed. The results indicate that the accumulation of energy in the surrounding rock of the retracement channel is greater than the internal consumption of energy, which is the direct reason for the instability of the surrounding rock of the retracement channel. The time to strengthen the support of the roof is when the working face is 15 m away from the retracement channel. According to the analysis of on-site monitoring results, the roof convergence and the two-sides convergence before and after strengthening the support were reduced by 90 mm and 140 mm, respectively. Under the strengthening of support, the slope of the retracement channel in the 360808 working face is slight, without roof fall, and the surrounding rock of the channel is effectively controlled, which is of great significance for ensuring the safe application of the retracement channel. It has reference value for the safety production of surrounding mines and is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of local resource-based society and economy.

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Numerical Modeling of Complex Stress State in a Fault Damage Zone and Its Implication on Near‐Fault Seismic Activity

Abstract: Induced seismicity taking place in deep underground mines has been intensively studied over the past decades (

Cited by 15 publications

References 145 publications

Rupture Dynamics of Cascading Earthquakes in a Multiscale Fracture Network

Rupture Dynamics of Cascading Earthquakes in a Multiscale Fracture Network

Influence of Structural Symmetry of Fault Zones on Fluid-Induced Fault Slips and Earthquakes

Study on the Stress Evolution and Strengthening Support Timing of the Retracement Channel under the Super-Thick Nappe

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