Writing and Publications

Coupled particle and fluid flow modeling of fracture and slurry injection in weakly consolidated granular media

Bruno , M ., Dorfmann , A ., Lao , K ., Honeger , C ., Proc. 38th US Rock Mech. Sym., DC Rocks 2001, Washington D.C. July 7-10 2001.

Abstract

Discrete particle models, which simulate inter-particle mechanics explicitly and can be coupled with fluid flow mechanics, often provide a more realistic simulation of granular deformation and fracture than continuum models. We apply such models to investigate fracture processes in weakly cemented media, providing insights on material parameters which influence a change from discrete brittle fracturing (as occurs in stiff and strong geomaterial) to general dilation and parting (as occurs in very soft and weak geomaterials). The primary influence on parting behavior is shear bonding at the granular scale. We also investigate slurry injection processes in granular media by coupling fluid flow simulators with particle models for several near wellbore assemblies. Although there are clear challenges remaining with scaling issues and practical model size, we conclude that coupled particle and fluid flow codes can simulate slurry injection processes well, reproducing dilation and parting patterns consistent with laboratory observations and pressure response consistent with field observations.

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