离散裂隙渗流方法与裂隙化渗透介质建模

流体渗流模拟的连续介质方法通常适用于多孔地质体，并不一定适用于裂隙岩体，由于裂隙分布及其特征与孔隙差异较大。若流体渗流主要受裂隙的控制，对于一定尺寸的裂隙岩体，多孔介质假设则较难刻划裂隙岩体的渗流特征。离散裂隙渗流方法不但可直接用于模拟裂隙岩体非均质性和各向异性等渗流特征，而且可用其确定所研究的裂隙岩体典型单元体及其水力传导（渗透）张量大小。主要讨论了以下问题：（1）饱和裂隙介质中一般的离散流体渗流模拟；（2）裂隙岩体中的REV（典型单元体）及其水力传导（渗透）张量的确定；（3）利用离散裂隙网络流体渗流模型研究裂隙方向几何参数对水力传导系数和REV的影响；（4）在二维和三维离散裂隙流体渗流模型中对区域大裂隙和局部小裂隙的处理方法。调查结果显示离散裂隙流体渗流数学模型可用来评价不同尺度上的裂隙岩体的水力特征，以及裂隙方向对裂隙化岩体的水力特征有着不可忽视的影响。同时，局部小裂隙、区域大裂隙应当区别对待，以便据其所起的作用及水力特征，建立裂隙化岩体相应的流体渗流模型。     

岩体裂隙网络等效渗透系数方向性的数值计算

采用渗流力学理论并结合Monte Carlo方法描述岩体裂隙的随机分布,研究渗流模型的尺寸效应并确定表征单元体积（REV）,得到了3种开口度分布形式的等效渗透系数椭圆曲线,建立了等效渗透系数方向性的判别标准。离散裂隙网络（DFN）模型假定流体只在岩体裂隙内部流动,而不通过岩体本身渗流。基于二维离散元程序UDEC并进行二次开发,建立DFN模型,通过改变流体的流动方向,得到不同流动方向下岩体裂隙网络的等效渗透系数,并分析不同的开口度分布形式对岩体裂隙网络等效渗透系数方向性的影响。计算结果表明,表征单元体积存在的条件是等效渗透系数保持稳定且渗透椭圆比较光滑。等效渗透系数的方向性受开口度分布形式的影响很大：当开口度-长度关联分布时,等效渗透系数各向异性;当开口度对数正态分布时,等效渗透系数各向同性;当开口度恒定分布时,等效渗透系数的特性介于二者之间。变化系数（CV）是否大于5%是判定岩体裂隙网络渗透系数是否具有方向性的判别标准。     

Estimation of the REV size for blockiness of fractured rock masses

The representative elementary volume (REV) is the premise of the continuous-media method of analysis, and the investigation of the REVs of fractured rock masses is a fundamental area of rock mechanics research. The existence of an REV can be determined based on a variety of physical parameters. This paper presents an analysis of the REV from the view of blockiness, which is defined as the percentage of the volume of isolated blocks formed by fractures in the total rock volume. Seventy-seven types of fractured rock mass models were developed based on 7 classes of fracture persistence and 11 classes of spacing that are suggested by the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) fracture classification. Rock blocks in each of the 77 types of fractured rock mass models were identified using GeneralBlock to determine the variation in blockiness with model domain sizes, which were changed from 2 to 20 times the fracture spacing. For each model domain size 9 random realizations were carried out to reduce the effects of randomness. The coefficient of variation (C_v) was then used to quantify the variability of the 9 random realizations. The fluctuation in blockiness with the variation in the scale of the model region was also investigated. In this way, the size of the REV in these models can be calculated using the average and the variance of the blockiness as indicators of the convergence. The blockiness of these fractured rock masses can be determined at the REV volume. The results indicate that of the 77 models, 76 REV sizes are between 2 and 20 times the fracture spacing. The fractured rock mass with a wide fracture spacing and very high persistence (WS2–VHP) has a REV size that exceeds 20 times the fracture spacing. Thus, the WS2–VHP model should be investigated further to validate this concept.     

Review: Mathematical expressions for estimating equivalent permeability of rock fracture networks

Fracture networks play a more significant role in conducting fluid flow and solute transport in fractured rock masses, comparing with that of the rock matrix. Accurate estimation of the permeability of fracture networks would help researchers and engineers better assess the performance of projects associated with fluid flow in fractured rock masses. This study provides a review of previous works that have focused on the estimation of equivalent permeability of two-dimensional (2-D) discrete fracture networks (DFNs) considering the influences of geometric properties of fractured rock masses. Mathematical expressions for the effects of nine important parameters that significantly impact on the equivalent permeability of DFNs are summarized, including (1) fracture-length distribution, (2) aperture distribution, (3) fracture surface roughness, (4) fracture dead-end, (5) number of intersections, (6) hydraulic gradient, (7) boundary stress, (8) anisotropy, and (9) scale. Recent developments of 3-D fracture networks are briefly reviewed to underline the importance of utilizing 3-D models in future research.     

剪胀对复杂裂隙岩体渗透性影响的离散元分析

裂隙岩体流固耦合问题是目前国内外研究热点之一,采用离散元软件UDEC对裂隙岩体发生节理剪胀的渗透性变化规律进行了模拟分析。基于现场调查的裂隙信息统计生成裂隙网络岩体模型。 通过固定垂直应力、不断增加应力比RS(RS=水平应力/垂直应力)使岩体出现剪胀,采用库伦滑移节理模式对岩体在剪胀过程中的渗透性变化情况进行模拟。结果发现:当应力比较小(RS3.1)时,节理水力隙宽、流速、渗透系数等参数都随着应力比的增加表现出明显的降低; 而当岩体出现剪胀现象之后(应力比大于3.1),发生剪切滑移和剪胀现象的节理控制着裂隙岩体的总体渗流行为,与不考虑节理剪胀的计算结果相比,岩体渗透能力出现了显著增长。这一结果表明,剪胀对裂隙岩体渗透性的影响是显著而不可忽视的。     

Flow–stress coupled permeability tensor for fractured rock masses

In this paper a new analytical model is proposed to determine the permeability tensor for fractured rock masses based on the superposition principle of liquid dissipation energy. This model relies on the geometrical characteristics of rock fractures and the corresponding fracture network, and demonstrates the coupling effect between fluid flow and stress/deformation. This model empirically considers the effect of pre‐peak shear dilation and shear contraction on the hydraulic behavior of rock fractures and can be used to determine the applicability of the continuum approach to hydro‐mechanical coupling analysis. Results of numerical analysis presented in this paper show that the new model can effectively describe the permeability of fractured rock masses, and can be applied to the coupling analysis of seepage and stress fields. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

裂隙延展性统计分布离散性对岩体块体化程度REV的影响

表征单元体(REV) 的存在是应用连续介质力学方法对岩体进行研究的前提,REV可以从岩体块体化程度的角度进行研究,裂隙大小及其统计分布是影响岩体块体化程度REV的重要因素。本文利用课题组自主研发的GeneralBlock 软件,建立更一般化实际化的模型,研究裂隙延展性统计分布的离散程度对岩体块体化程度REV的影响。分析时选取了最常用的裂隙延展性统计分布形式:正态分布。由于所建立的岩体结构模型是随机的,需要对每个随机裂隙模型进行多次实现。为节省计算量,当研究范围比较小时,对每种结构的每个研究范围进行9次随机实现。当研究范围足够大,达到REV大小的时候进行100次随机实现。为确定离散程度对表征单元体的影响,本文针对5个不同标准差进行了模拟分析（共建立了1 005个裂隙模型,分别进行了块体识别并计算其块体化程度B）。结果表明,裂隙延展性服从正态分布的情况下,如果其平均值一定,岩体的块体化程度随着统计分布离散程度的增加略有上升,裂隙岩体的REV值基本上由裂隙延展性统计平均值决定。     

An analytical model for multiple fractured shale gas wells considering fracture networks and dynamic gas properties

Multi-stage fractured horizontal wells play an important role in developing shale gas reservoirs by significantly improving productivity. By considering fracture networks, gas desorption, stress-sensitive fracture permeability, and pressure-dependent gas PVT properties, an analytical model is developed for shale gas wells. Fracture networks are handled based on transient linear flow, gas desorption is handled by defining a new total compressibility, stress-dependent hydraulic fracture permeability is handled by variable substitution, and pseudo-pressure and pseudo-time are used to handle pressure-dependent PVT properties. After obtaining the solution of the linearized model, a material balance method and successive substitution iteration procedure are proposed to convert the pseudo-time into real time and calculate the production contribution from gas desorption. The results show that induced fractures also have a great impact on the production of the well. Production contribution from free gas and adsorbed gas could be quantified using the proposed material balance principle and iterative method. The rank of parameters that influence the ultimate recovery is the following: half-length of hydraulic fracture, induced fracture length/hydraulic fracture spacing, hydraulic fracture spacing, conductivity of induced fractures, conductivity of hydraulic fracture, and induced fracture spacing.     

Application of Stochastic Fracture Network with Numerical Fluid Flow Simulations to Groundwater Flow Modeling in Fractured Rocks

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基于三维裂隙网络的裂隙岩体表征单元体研究

岩体表征单元体（REV）的研究一直是岩土工程中的重要问题。裂隙岩体REV是其内部复杂结构在尺寸效应上的体现,归因于岩体内裂隙系统的随机性。在三维网络模型的基础上通过计算体积节理数建立了确定岩体REV的方法。这种方法考虑了岩体内裂隙的三维空间密度的特征,采用体积节理数这一参数的收敛状况确定岩体REV的大小。建立了实际岩体的模拟裂隙系统,用一定大小的立方体来分割裂隙系统,统计不同立方体内的体积节理数,并将均值作为最终裂隙岩体的参数。将此参数作为裂隙岩体的属性,通过判别其收敛状况获得了岩体REV的尺寸。考虑了岩体不连续面的特征,建立了REV的分析模型,得出工程岩体的REV的尺寸是裂隙平均迹长的4倍的结论。     

基于块体化程度确定裂隙岩体表征单元体

表征单元体（REV,或典型单元体）的存在是应用连续介质方法研究岩体问题的前提,因此,裂隙岩体表征单元体研究是岩体力学及岩体水力学中的一个基础问题,表征单元体的存在与否可以从不同物理参数的角度进行分析。从岩体块体化程度的角度对其存在性进行了较系统的分析,把岩体中由裂隙圈闭形成的孤立块体的总体积在岩体中所占体积百分比定义为裂隙岩体的块体化程度。介绍了GeneralBlock软件的基本分析过程,利用软件建立了三维裂隙岩体模型。根据国际岩石力学学会的裂隙分级,针对5个延展性级别、7个间距级别建立了35种岩体结构模型。利用GeneralBlock对这35种岩体进行了块体识别,分别讨论了这35种岩体结构的块体化程度随着模型范围变化的波动情况。由于所建立的岩体结构模型是随机的,对每种结构的每个研究范围进行了5次随机实现。结果表明,对所有的35种岩体,表征单元体的尺寸在4～8倍间距之间,不超过8倍间距。     

A statistically based numerical model for heat conduction in fractured rock masses

A computational procedure for simulating heat conduction in fractured rock masses is proposed and illustrated within the context of the finite element method. The procedure makes use of simple local models for conduction in the vicinity of a single open fracture. The local models allow effective thermal properties for fractured rock to be expressed in terms of fracture characteristics such as spacing, orientation and aperture. The distributions of fractures and fracture properties within the finiteelement model are derived from a statistical representation of geological field data. The procedure is demonstrated to satisfactorily reproduce heat transfer results across single fractures and provide an efficient means of representing conduction in formations with multiple fractures.     

基于非均质系数的裂隙岩体表征单元体研究

表征单元体（REV）是岩体力学中的一个基础性概念,其存在性是确定岩体等效参数和应用连续介质方法进行研究的前提条件。为综合反映裂隙大小、产状和密度对岩体REV的影响,本文提出采用岩体非均质系数HI来确定岩体的REV。首先,详细介绍了非均质系数的概念和含义。利用General Block软件建立了中等间距-中等延展性（MS1-MP1）裂隙的网络模型,并完成20次随机实现。从各模型中选取10个不同尺寸的岩体模型计算非均质系数,结果表明:非均质系数具有明显的尺寸效应,当岩体尺寸不小于8 m时,非均质系数的平均值和标准差分别为0.5和0.14,综合确定该岩体的REV为8 m。采用HI对三峡地下电站厂房围岩的研究表明,该岩体的REV为60 m,可作为非连续介质方法适用性的判断标准。HI是从岩体结构角度提出的新指标,适用于确定岩体的REV和统计范围,对岩体的统计分析和等效参数研究具有重要意义。     

裂隙岩体渗透系数确定方法研究

裂隙岩体渗透系数以及渗透主方向的确定对研究岩体渗透性大小及各向异性具有重要意义。高放废物地质处置库介质岩体的渗透性能将直接影响其使用安全性。本文运用离散裂隙网络模拟的方法对我国高放废物处置库甘肃北山预选区3#钻孔附近裂隙岩体进行了渗透性质分析。通过对3#钻孔171.5~178.0m段压水试验数据的反演,标定了离散裂隙网络渗流模型中的裂隙渗透参数(导水系数T)。利用标定的离散裂隙网络模型对场区裂隙岩体进行了渗流模拟,确定了该区域裂隙岩体的渗流表征单元体(REV)的尺寸大小以及渗透主值和主渗透方向。运用离散裂隙网络模型计算得出的渗透主值的几何均值与现场压水试验计算结果较接近,证明了计算结果的有效性。     

基于离散裂隙网络模型的节理岩体渗透张量及特性分析

节理岩体几何结构非常复杂,研究其渗流特性对于指导含水岩层稳定性分析具有重要价值。应用离散裂隙网络模型DFN方法,基于VC++6.0软件平台,建立了平面渗流分析方法,分析了节理岩体不同几何分布情况下的渗透率张量特征,通过定义渗流定向性系数对岩体渗流的定向性特征进行了定量分析。结果表明：单组节理岩体渗流具有明显的各向异性特征,渗流定向性随着节理角度变化显著;节理随着节理贯通性增加,节理渗透率呈现对数增加趋势;两组节理情况下,各向异性特征随着节理组间夹角变化;两组节理岩体渗流特征研究中,正交分布下,岩体仍存在各向异性,但渗流定向性系数较低;当节理倾角服从正态分布时,随着节理倾角标准差增大,渗透率增加;两组节理夹角不同时,节理渗透主方向倾角随着夹角增大而相应增大,基本沿两组节理夹角方向的角平分线方向。     

裂缝参数对考虑滑脱效应页岩气水平井产能的影响

低渗透页岩气藏中,气体渗流时会受滑脱效应的影响。建立了考虑滑脱效应的气、水两相页岩气藏渗流数学模型,并建立了理想地质模型,采用数值模拟方法,研究了水力压裂的不同裂缝参数对水平井产能的影响。模拟结果表明:裂缝条数、长度和间距是影响页岩气井产能的重要参数,而裂缝宽度和渗透率对产能的影响相对较弱;页岩气井的产能随着裂缝条数和裂缝长度的增加而增大;水平井的水平段长度及裂缝条数一定时,可通过增大裂缝间距来减少裂缝间的相互干扰。      

Effects of mechanical layering on hydraulic fracturing in shale gas reservoirs based on numerical models

Generally, induced hydraulic fractures are generated by fluid overpressure and are used to increase reservoir permeability through forming interconnected fracture systems. However, in heterogeneous and anisotropic rocks, many hydraulic fractures may become arrested or offset at layer contacts under certain conditions and do not form vertically connected fracture networks. Mechanical layering is an important factor causing anisotropy in sedimentary layers. Hence, in this study, with a shale gas reservoir case study in the Longmaxi Formation in the southeastern Chongqing region, Sichuan Basin, we present results from several numerical models to gain quantitative insights into the effects of mechanical layering on hydraulic fracturing. Results showed that the fractured area caused by hydraulic fracturing indicated a linear relationship with the neighboring layer’s Young’s modulus. An increase of the neighboring layer’s Young’s modulus resulted in better hydraulic fracturing effects. In addition, the contact between two neighboring layers is regarded as a zone with thickness and mechanical properties, which also influences the effects of hydraulic fracturing in reservoirs. The initial hydraulic fracture was unable to propagate into neighboring layers under a relatively low contact’s Young’s modulus. When associated local tensile stresses exceeded the rock strength, hydraulic fractures propagated into neighboring layers. Moreover, with the contact’s Young’s modulus becoming higher, the fractured area increased rapidly first, then slowly and finally became stable.     

Mechanical and hydraulic properties of rocks related to induced seismicity

Witherspoon, P.A. and Gale, J.E., 1977. Mechanical and hydraulic properties of rocks related to induced seismicity. Eng. Geol., 11(1): 23–55.The mechanical and hydraulic properties of fractured rocks are considered with regard to the role they play in induced seismicity. In many cases, the mechanical properties of fractures determine the stability of a rock mass. The problems of sampling and testing these rock discontinuities and interpreting their non-linear behavior are reviewed. Stick slip has been proposed as the failure mechanism in earthquake events. Because of the complex interactions that are inherent in the mechanical behavior of fractured rocks, there seems to be no simple way to combine the deformation characteristics of several sets of fractures when there are significant perturbations of existing conditions. Thus, the more important fractures must be treated as individual components in the rock mass.In considering the hydraulic properties, it has been customary to treat a fracture as a parallel-plate conduit and a number of mathematical models of fracture systems have adopted this approach. Non-steady flow in fractured systems has usually been based on a two-porosity model, which assumes the primary (intergranular) porosity contributes only to storage and the secondary (fracture) porosity contributes only to the overall conductivity. Using such a model, it has been found that the time required to achieve quasi-steady state flow in a fractured reservoir is one or two orders of magnitude greater than it is in a homogeneous system. In essentially all of this work, the assumption has generally been made that the fractures are rigid.However, it is clear from a review of the mechanical and hydraulic properties that not only are fractures easily deformed but they constitute the main flow paths in many rock masses. This means that one must consider the interaction of mechanical and hydraulic effects. A considerable amount of laboratory and field data is now available that clearly demonstrates this stress-flow behavior. Two approaches have been used in attempting to numerically model such behavior: (1) continuum models, and (2) discrete models. The continuum approach only needs information as to average values of fracture spacing and material properties. But because of the inherent complexity of fractured rock masses and the corresponding decrease in symmetry, it is difficult to develop an equivalent continuum that will simulate the behavior of the entire system. The discrete approach, on the other hand, requires details of the fracture geometry and material properties of both fractures and rock matrix. The difficulty in obtaining such information has been considered a serious limitation of discrete models, but improved borehole techniques can enable one to obtain the necessary data, at least in shallow systems. The possibility of extending these methods to deeper fracture systems needs more investigation. Such data must be considered when deciding whether to use a continuum or discrete model to represent the interaction of rock and fluid forces in a fractured rock system, especially with regard to the problem of induced seismicity. When one is attempting to alter the pressure distribution in a fault zone by injection or withdrawal of fluids, the extent to which this can be achieved will be controlled in large measure by the behavior of the fractures that communicate with the borehole. Since this is essentially a point phenomenon, i.e., the changes will propagate from a relatively small region around the borehole, the use of a discrete model would appear to be preferable.     

岩石裂隙的非饱和渗透特性及其演化规律研究

岩石裂隙的非饱和渗透特性是岩土、能源和环境等领域科学研究中的热点问题。采用三维激光扫描获取花岗岩裂隙的表面形貌特征,分析裂隙微观形貌特征对非饱和渗透特性的影响。研究在张拉、压缩、剪切等复杂荷载作用下裂隙开度分布的演化规律,建立复杂荷载作用下岩石裂隙非饱和毛细压力曲线演化模型。基于裂隙的微观形貌特征推导了岩石裂隙非饱和相对渗透系数模型,通过与试验数据对比,验证了模型的准确性和有效性,并在此基础上建立了复杂荷载作用下岩石裂隙非饱和相对渗透系数演化模型。研究成果对非饱和条件下裂隙岩体的水-力耦合机制研究具有一定指导意义。     

Fracture step structure: geometrical characterization and effects on fluid flow and breakthrough curve

Groundwater flow and solute transport through fractured rock is highly responsive to the hydraulic anisotropy and heterogeneity that are specific to every major fracture. A major fracture is modeled as the combination of some primal master fractures and several splay fractures that branch out from primal master fractures: step structures (or jog parts). Step structures are commonly observed along a major fracture on various scales. Master fractures were formed and developed by shear movement while some splay fractures were formed by extension normal to their wall. This difference in fracturing process may lead to a permeability difference between master fractures and splay fractures which seems to be one of the major factors controlling flow and solute transport through the fracture networks due to its hydraulic anisotropic and heterogeneous features. This study is composed of two major components: (1) identification and characterization of a step structure from borehole data; (2) evaluation of effect of some idealized step structures on breakthrough curve by numerical simulations. The fracture data of four 1000-m boreholes were used to make clear fracture patterns in the Tono area of Japan. Some major fractures were identified using stereographic projection technique. On the basis of these results, several idealized models of a major fracture having a step was constructed for the numerical study. The obtained results from numerical simulations clearly imply that geometry of step structure plays an important role in flow and transport through the fracture networks.