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Analytical Model for Permeability Evolution in Microcracking Rock

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Abstract

Analytical expressions to predict the enhancement of permeability due to stress-induced microcracking in initially low porosity rock are presented. A fracture mechanical microcrack model is employed to derive integrated effective hydraulic variables as a function of stress, which are then used to calculate the evolution of permeability using the statistically-based Dienes model. The model enables determination of permeability enhancement as a function of two loading parameters and three material parameters. Results are in reasonable agreement with experimental measurements and indicate that appreciable increases in permeability can be anticipated during brittle failure. The analytical nature of the model makes it easily incorporatable into numerical models that require quantification of the model makes it easily incorporatable into numerical models that require quantification of the permeability evolution as a function of stress, for which there is currently no law

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© 2003 Springer Basel AG

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Simpson, G.D.H., Guéguen, Y., Schneider, F. (2003). Analytical Model for Permeability Evolution in Microcracking Rock. In: Kümpel, HJ. (eds) Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Coupling in Fractured Rock. Pageoph Topical Volumes. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8083-1_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8083-1_13

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7643-0253-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-8083-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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