On the loss of symmetry in toughness dominated hydraulic fractures
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In: International Journal of Fracture, Vol. 237.2022, No. September, 09.2022, p. 189-202.
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TY - JOUR
T1 - On the loss of symmetry in toughness dominated hydraulic fractures
AU - Tanné, Erwan
AU - Bourdin, Blaise
AU - Yoshioka, Keita
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
PY - 2022/9
Y1 - 2022/9
N2 - Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a ubiquitous technique for generating fracture networks in rocks for enhanced geothermal systems or hydrocarbon extraction from shales. For decades, models, numerical simulation tools, and practical guidelines have been based on the assumption that this process generates networks of self-similar parallel cracks. Yet, some field and laboratory observations show asymmetric crack growth, and material heterogeneity is routinely attributed for it. Here, we show that simultaneous growth of multiple parallel cracks is impossible and that a single crack typically propagates asymmetrically in toughness dominated hydraulic fracturing, in which viscous dissipation of the fluid is negligible. In other words, loss of symmetry is a fundamental feature of hydraulic fracturing in a toughness dominated regime and not necessary the result of material heterogeneities. Our findings challenge the assumptions of symmetrical growth of hydraulic fractures commonly made in practice, and point to yet another instability other than material heterogeneity.
AB - Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a ubiquitous technique for generating fracture networks in rocks for enhanced geothermal systems or hydrocarbon extraction from shales. For decades, models, numerical simulation tools, and practical guidelines have been based on the assumption that this process generates networks of self-similar parallel cracks. Yet, some field and laboratory observations show asymmetric crack growth, and material heterogeneity is routinely attributed for it. Here, we show that simultaneous growth of multiple parallel cracks is impossible and that a single crack typically propagates asymmetrically in toughness dominated hydraulic fracturing, in which viscous dissipation of the fluid is negligible. In other words, loss of symmetry is a fundamental feature of hydraulic fracturing in a toughness dominated regime and not necessary the result of material heterogeneities. Our findings challenge the assumptions of symmetrical growth of hydraulic fractures commonly made in practice, and point to yet another instability other than material heterogeneity.
KW - Hydraulic fracturing
KW - Loss of symmetry
KW - Phase-field models of fracture
KW - Gradient damage models
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85126035649&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10704-022-00623-5
DO - 10.1007/s10704-022-00623-5
M3 - Article
VL - 237.2022
SP - 189
EP - 202
JO - International Journal of Fracture
JF - International Journal of Fracture
SN - 0376-9429
IS - September
ER -