Influence of cyclic normal stress on shear friction of EGS granite fractures

authored by
Mao Sheng, Pu Li, Xiaoying Zhuang, Jianbo Wang
Abstract

Cyclic hydraulic fracturing has been proved to be an effective stimulation technique to explore EGS resouces. The shear friction behaviors under cyclic normal stress are essential to understand the hydro-shearing mechanisms. This paper proposed a cyclic shear friction test to understand the friction characteristics of granite fracture during cyclic hydraulic fracturing. A cyclic normal force in sinusoidal function and a constant shear velocity were enforced on the rock specimen. The time-dependent friction behaviors were observed. Results indicate that the frictional coefficient is highly correlated with the variation of the normal force. Futhermore, the frequency dependency of cyclic shear friction was observed. High-frequency normal force motivates a lower frictional shear slip. However, the amplitude of normal force displays an irregular influence on the frictional coefficient. Microstructure analysis demonstrated that numerous scratches and a powder-lubrication layer were generated along the sheared asperity between the fracture surfaces. High-frequency shear friction accelerates jumping shear and creates finer powder to lubricate the shear slip. The present work is helpful to understand the mechanisms of cyclic hydraulic fracturing to activiate the existing natural fractures.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Continuum Mechanics
External Organisation(s)
China Univeristy of Petroleum - Beijing
Type
Article
Journal
Engineering fracture mechanics
Volume
238
ISSN
0013-7944
Publication date
15.08.2020
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Materials Science, Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2020.107268 (Access: Closed)
 

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