Abstract
This paper presents an efficient finite element algorithm for propagating fluid-driven fractures in pressure sensitive geomaterials. Fluid flow in the fracture is modelled by lubrication theory. Rock deformation is assumed to be elastoplastic and dilatent. A cohesive model based on the softening behaviour of rocks is employed as the propagation criterion. A special continuation method based on the volume of injected fluid in the fracture is used for direct coupling of the fluid-flow with rock deformation and for driving the solution during propagation. Sample results are provided for the problem of hydraulic fracturing to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
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Received 5 February 1999
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Papanastasiou, P. An efficient algorithm for propagating fluid-driven fractures. Computational Mechanics 24, 258–267 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004660050514
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004660050514