A Physical Model Study of Shear-Wave Splitting and Fracture Intensity

1988 ◽  
Vol 19 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 175-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Tatham ◽  
Martin D. Matthews ◽  
K. K. Sekharan
1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Tatham ◽  
Martin D. Matthews ◽  
K. K. Sekharan ◽  
Christopher J. Wade ◽  
Louis M. Liro

Geophysics ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Tatham ◽  
Martin D. Matthews ◽  
K. K. Sekharan ◽  
Christopher J. Wade ◽  
Louis M. Liro

In a series of physical model experiments, fractured media are simulated by stacks of thin Plexiglas sheets clamped together tightly to form blocks. The plates are assembled underwater, and a very thin water layer between the sheets prevents formation of an effectively welded interface between them. Thus, the stacked material is not a series of welded plates but rather a truly fractured medium simulating a potential petroleum reservoir with only fracture porosity and permeability. Sheets of constant thickness are used, but the intensity of fracturing between the different models is simulated by using different thicknesses of Plexiglas for each model. Observation of direct shear‐wave arrivals through the stack, with propagation parallel to the sheets and polarization of particle motion allowed to be parallel to, normal to, or in any arbitrary angle to the sheets, definitively demonstrate the existence of shear‐wave splitting and hence anisotropy. For Plexiglas sheets 1/16 in thick (0.16 cm) representing a fracture intensity of about 16 fractures per wavelength, shear‐wave splitting and hence anisotropy are clearly observed. For greater fracture intensities (i.e., thinner plates) the degree of anisotropy is greater, and for less intense fracturing (i.e., thicker plates), the degree of anisotropy is less. These experimental data suggest that for fracture intensities of greater than about 10 fractures per wavelength there is a simple relation between fracture intensity and degree of anisotropy in two different polarizations of shear waves. For fracture intensities less than a threshold of about 10 per wavelength, there is no simple observed relation between them. Further, the faster of the split shear‐wave velocities is near the solid material velocity, and the observed variation in velocity for various fracture intensities is in the slower of the split shear‐wave velocities.


2013 ◽  
Vol 473 ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
Song Zheng ◽  
Hong Fu Fan ◽  
Yan Hui Zhang

Shear wave splitting technology plays important role in detecting fractures. Picking up the calculation window is necessary in the shear wave splitting technology and plays a decisive role in the accuracy and precision detecting the orientation of fractures and fracture intensity. Conventionally, the calculation window for shear wave splitting is manually set, which is both laborious and subjective. Thus providing an mechanical automated method of picking up the calculation window is very meaningful.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Irfan - Hanif ◽  
Ahmad Zaenudin ◽  
Nandi Haerudin ◽  
Rahmat C Wibowo

Shear Wave Splitting is an application of seismic wave to analyse the anisotropy level of a certain medium. Generally, shear wave propagation through a rock formation will be polarized (φ) into two parts especially when the medium structures are different, such as fracture. The polarized shear wave which is perpendicular to fracture will propagate slower than the wave that propagates parallel to the fracture. The delay time (δt) of both wave is proportional with the fracture intensity along the wave propagation from the source to the station. The description regarding fracture orientation can be obtained by analysing both Shear Wave Splitting parameters (φ and δt), and this information is adequately important in geothermal exploration or exploitation phase at Mt. Amiata. Based on the result of this research, the micro earthquake source is focused on the east to the south area and spread along 3 earthquake stations. The existence of micro earthquake source is mainly focused at the depth of 1 to 4 km. In addition, the polarization direction of each earthquake station at the geological map shows a dominant fracture orientation consistently at NW-SE. All of the three stations also show that the polarization direction is integrated to the local fault existence in the subsurface. Furthermore, the research shows that the high intensity fracture distribution occurred at MCIV station area in the southern part of research location. Meanwhile, the low intensity fracture distribution occurred at ARCI and SACS station area in the western and the eastern part of research location. The high value of fracture intensity accompanied by the high amount of structure intensity, strengthen the prediction of the high anisotropy existence which potentially tends to the high permeability presence at the area.Keywords: shear wave splitting, anisotropy, fracture, geothermal, polarization direction, fracture intensity.


Geothermics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
pp. 102115
Author(s):  
F. Chacón-Hernández ◽  
F.R. Zúñiga ◽  
J.O. Campos-Enríquez ◽  
J. Lermo-Samaniego ◽  
N. Jiménez-Méndez

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document