Rock Fracture Mechanics

The analysis of crack problems through fracture mechanics has been applied to the study of materials such as glass, metals and ceramics because relatively simple fracture criteria describe the failure of these materials. The increased attention paid to experimental rock fracture mechanics has led to major contributions to the solving of geophysical problems. The text presents a concise treatment of the physics and mathematics of a representative selection of problems from areas such as earthquake mechanics and prediction, hydraulic fracturing, hot dry rock geothermal energy, fault mechanics, and dynamic fragmentation.

Porous Rock Failure Mechanics: Hydraulic Fracturing, Drilling and Structural Engineering focuses on the fracture mechanics of porous rocks and modern simulation techniques for progressive quasi-static and dynamic fractures. The topics covered in this volume include a wide range of academic and industrial applications, including petroleum, mining, and civil engineering. Chapters focus on advanced topics in the field of rock’s fracture mechanics and address theoretical concepts, experimental characterization, numerical simulation techniques, and their applications as appropriate. Each chapter reflects the current state-of-the-art in terms of the modern use of fracture simulation in industrial and academic sectors. Some of the major contributions in this volume include, but are not limited to: anisotropic elasto-plastic deformation mechanisms in fluid saturated porous rocks, dynamics of fluids transport in fractured rocks and simulation techniques, fracture mechanics and simulation techniques in porous rocks, fluid-structure interaction in hydraulic driven fractures, advanced numerical techniques for simulation of progressive fracture, including multiscale modeling, and micromechanical approaches for porous rocks, and quasi-static versus dynamic fractures in porous rocks. This book will serve as an important resource for petroleum, geomechanics, drilling and structural engineers, R&D managers in industry and academia. Includes a strong editorial team and quality experts as chapter authors Presents topics identified for individual chapters are current, relevant, and interesting Focuses on advanced topics, such as fluid coupled fractures, rock’s continuum damage mechanics, and multiscale modeling Provides a ‘one-stop’ advanced-level reference for a graduate course focusing on rock’s mechanics

This text book provides the theoretical background of rock fracture mechanics and displacement discontinuity methods used for the modelling of geomechanical problems. The computer program FRACOD is used to analyse the fracture problems, assessing fracture initiation and propagation in tension (Mode I), shear (Mode II) and mixed mode I and II of solid intact or jointed geomaterials. The book also presents the fundamentals of thermo-mechanical coupling and hydro-mechanical coupling. Formulations of multiple regional mechanical, thermal and hydraulic functions, which allow analyses of fracture mechanics problems for structures made of brittle, rock-like materials, are provided. In addition, instructive examples of code verification and applications are presented. Additional material: The 2-D version of the FRACOD program, a manual on the program and a wealth of verification examples of classical problems in physics, mechanics and hydromechanics are available at http://extras.springer.com. A large number of applications related to civil, mining, petroleum and environmental engineering are also included. - The first textbook available on modelling of rock fracture propagation - Introduces readers to the fundamentals of rock fracturing - Uses a modern style of teaching with theory, mathematical modelling and applications in one package - The basic version of the FRACOD software, manual, verification examples and applications are available as additional material - The FRACOD program and manual enable the readers to solve fracture propagation problems on their own --------------------------- Ki-Bok Min, Department of Energy Resources Engineering, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Korea “Challenging rock engineering applications require extreme conditions of stress, temperature and hydraulic pressure resulting in rock fracturing to a various extent. The FRACOD is one of few computer codes available in engineering rock mechanics that can simulate the initiation and propagation of fractures often interacting with natural fractures. Its capability has been significantly enhanced to include the hydraulic and thermal fracturing with concerted interaction from multi-national research and industry partners. My experience with the FRACOD is very positive and I am certain that its already-excellent track record will expand further in the future."

Rock fractures control many of Earth's dynamic processes, including plate-boundary development, tectonic earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and fluid transport in the crust. An understanding of rock fractures is also essential for effective exploitation of natural resources such as ground water, geothermal water, and petroleum. This book combines results from fracture mechanics, materials science, rock mechanics, structural geology, hydrogeology, and fluid mechanics to explore and explain fracture processes and fluid transport in the crust. Basic concepts are developed from first principles and illustrated with worked examples linking models of geological processes to real field observations and measurements. Many additional examples and exercises are provided online, allowing readers to practise formulating and quantitative testing of models. Rock Fractures in Geological Processes is designed for courses at the advanced undergraduate and graduate level but also forms a vital resource for researchers and industry professionals concerned with fractures and fluid transport in the Earth's crust.

Introduction to geologic fracture mechanics covering geologic structural discontinuities from theoretical and field-based perspectives.

This book is the second edition of the well-known textbook Modelling Rock Fracturing Processes. The new and extended edition provides the theoretical background of rock fracture mechanics used for modelling of 2-D and 3-D geomechanics problems and processes. Fundamentals of rock fracture mechanics integrated with experimental studies of rock fracturing processes are highlighted. The computer programs FRACOD 2D and 3D are used to analyse fracture initiation and propagation for the three fracture modes: Mode I, II and III. Coupled fracture modelling with other continuous and distinct element codes including FLAC, PFC, RFPA, TOUGH are also described. A series of applications of fracture modelling with importance for modern society is presented and discussed by distinguished rock fracture modelling experts.