Simulation of extensional clay fractures

Malthe‐Sørenssen, Anders; Walmann, Thomas; Feder, Jens; Jøssang, Torstein; Meakin, Paul; Hardy, H. H.

doi:10.1103/physreve.58.5548

Cited by 39 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…A normal distribution of breaking thresholds is used. This has been shown to reproduce both experimental and field fracture patterns [Malthe-Sørenssen et al, 1998a, 1998b. The average value of the breaking threshold may be related to the critical stress intensity factor, as discussed in section 2.4.1.…”

Section: Solid Elastic Componentmentioning

confidence: 86%

Modeling hydrofracture

Flekkøy

2002

J. Geophys. Res.

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[1] We have developed a model to simulate the formation and evolution of hydraulic fractures. The model relies on a discrete spring network representation of the fracturing media and a continuum description of the fluid pressure that diffuses within it. The model is both versatile and efficient due to the lack of redundant components in the description of the fluid dynamics and the simple mechanics of the spring network. The model is validated quantitatively in a simple test case where it is shown that the pressure forces on the solid agree with theoretical predictions. Subsequently, it is applied to some simplified geological scenarios in order to explore some generic effects. While no attempt has been made to apply representative parameters for real geological systems, the model demonstrates that the fracture formation depends crucially on the way pressure diffuses into the rock, both in the case of a point pressure source and in the case of a sandwich or ''caprock'' geometry where high fluid pressure causes hydraulic fracturing of a lowpermeability ''lid'' layer. Finally, the continuum limit of the elastic system is obtained analytically in order to identify the proper macroscopic parameters that are needed when simulations are to be matched to real geological systems.

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Section: Solid Elastic Componentmentioning

confidence: 86%

Modeling hydrofracture

Flekkøy

2002

J. Geophys. Res.

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“…However, in our model, a node will move only if F i exceeds a certain friction l which is introduced as a static adhesion of the nodes and is one free parameter of the model. This is the major difference compared to the models proposed by Kitsunezaki (1999), Malthe-Sbrenssen et al (1998) and Hornig et al (1996) where the nodes are connected through additional springs to the ground.…”

Section: The Modelmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…We also assume that the relaxation of strain caused by desiccation is the only contribution to the dissipation of energy in the system. Our model to simulate crack formation is similar to those presented by Kitsunezaki (1999), Malthe-Sbrenssen et al (1998) and Hornig et al (1996). We represent the clay layer by a twodimensional triangular network of simple Hookean springs.…”

Section: The Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studies of crack dynamics in clay soil

Vogel¹,

Hoffmann²,

Leopold³

et al. 2005

Geoderma

110

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“…In the performed simulations, the quenched noise is applied solely to the breaking strength of the springs. In addition to being an important factor in the modelling of heterogeneities, anisotropies and older geological structures, which influence a natural system, the application of a distribution to the spring lattice has the added benefit of reducing the influence of predefined directions within the triangular lattice (Malthe-Sørenssen et al 1998).…”

Section: Deformation Related To Viscositymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The net force F acting on a node within the network is given by (Monette and Anderson 1994;Malthe-Sørenssen et al 1998;Koehn et al 2005).…”

Section: Forces Related To Elasticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Faulting of the lithosphere during extension and related rift-flank uplift: a numerical study

Sachau¹,

Koehn²

2010

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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In this contribution, we present a new model of passive rifting and related rift-flank uplift. The numerical model is based on a lattice spring network coupled with a viscous particle model so that we can simulate visco-elasto-plastic behaviour with dynamic fault development. In our model, we show that rift-flank uplift can be achieved best when extension in the crust is localized and the lower crust is strong so that major rift faults transect the whole crust. Uplift of rift flanks follows a smooth function whereas down-throw in the rift basin takes place in steps. The geometry of the developing faults has also an influence on the uplift; in this case, displacement along major rift faults produces higher flanks than distributed displacement on many faults. Our model also shows that the relative elastic thickness of the crust has only a minor influence on the uplift since fault depth and elastic thickness are not independent. In addition, we show with a second set of simulations and analytically that a strain misfit between the upper and lower boundaries of a stretched crust, which is created by the horizontal extension, leads to an active uplift driven by elastic forces. We compare the numerical simulations, the analytical solution and real surface data from the Albertine rift in the East African Rift System and show that our new model can reproduce realistic features. Our two-layer beam model with strain misfit can also explain why a thick crust in the simulations can have an even higher rift flank than a thin crust even though the thin crust topography has a higher curvature. We discuss the implications of our simulations for real rift systems and for the current theory of rift-flank uplift.

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Simulation of extensional clay fractures

Cited by 39 publications

References 26 publications

Modeling hydrofracture

Modeling hydrofracture

Studies of crack dynamics in clay soil

Faulting of the lithosphere during extension and related rift-flank uplift: a numerical study

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