Introduction to Geomechanics: Stress and Strain in Sedimentary Basins

Abstract

At shallow depths in sedimentary basins there are soft clays and loose silts and sands, unless there are carbonates or carbonate cemented layers. At greater depths they are transformed by diagenetic processes to hard clay stones, shales, siltstones and sandstones. Sedimentary rocks continuously undergo physical and chemical changes as a function of burial depth, temperature and time, and important hydro-mechanical parameters change during burial, erosion and uplift. An understanding of these processes is important in order to predict the magnitude and distribution of sediment properties and stresses in the basin (strain). The in-situ stress condition affects the rock response to changes in the stress field due to drilling and petroleum production.