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We investigate the mode 1 fracture toughness and its anisotropy of Poorman Schist rocks recovered from the Enhanced Geothermal Systems Collaboration (EGS Collab) Experiment 1 site. The EGS Collab team is conducting a series of intermediate (10-20m) scale stimulation and inter-well flow tests with comprehensive instrumentation and characterization at the Sanford Underground Research Facility to validate existing theories and description of hydraulic fractures propagation and associated fluid flow. An important parameter to constrain is how the fracture toughness varies depending on the orientation of the fracture and the direction of fracture propagation, which may have controls on hydraulic fracture propagation. Fracture toughness relative to foliation orientation was determined through the utilization of Cracked Chevron Notched Brazilian Disk (CCNBD) samples in three different orientations (Divider, Arrester, and Foliation Splitting/Short Transverse). Each sample group contains at least three 25.4 mm diameter and 12.7 mm thick CCNBD samples, one of each sample type. Arrester and Foliation Splitting samples were obtained from the same sub-core while Divider samples were obtained from a separate sub-core obtained in close proximity. We found fracture toughness to be weakest in the Foliation Splitting orientation and strongest in the Divider orientation, similar to findings from anisotropic fracture toughness measured in shale rocks. Our findings on the influence of foliation orientation on fracture toughness are presented here.
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Fracture toughness of schist, amphibolite, and rhyolite from the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), Lead, South Dakota
Abstract The Cracked Chevron Notched Brazilian Disc (CCNBD) method was selected for Mode I fracture toughness tests on Poorman schist, Yates amphibolite, and rhyolite dikes from the EGS Collab site at the SURF in Lead, South Dakota. The effects of lithology, anisotropy, and loading rate were investigated. Fracture toughness was greatest in amphibolite, with schist and rhyolite having similar toughness values ( $${K}_{amphibolite}$$ K amphibolite > $${K}_{rhyolite}$$ K rhyolite ≈ $${K}_{schist}$$ K schist ). The effects of anisotropy on fracture toughness were investigated in the foliated schist samples. Schist samples were prepared in three geometries (divider, arrester, and short transverse) which controlled how the fracture would propagate relative to foliations. The divider geometry was strongest and short transverse geometry was the weakest ( $${K}_{divider}$$ K divider > $${K}_{arrester}$$ K arrester > $${K}_{short transverse}$$ K shorttransverse ). Fracture toughness was observed to decrease with decreasing loading rate. Optical and SEM microscopy revealed that for the short transverse geometry, fractures tended to propagate along grain boundaries, whereas in arrester and divider geometries fractures tended to propagate through grains. In foliated samples, the tortuosity of the fracture observed in thin section was greater in arrester and divider geometries than in short transverse geometries.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1829597
- PAR ID:
- 10425291
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Scientific Reports
- Volume:
- 12
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2045-2322
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20031-y
