Fracture behavior of Longmaxi shale with implications for subsurface applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. SP205-SP213
Author(s):  
Zonghu Liao ◽  
Shunjie Deng ◽  
Xiaofeng Chen ◽  
Mengni Wu ◽  
Yongshang Kang ◽  
...  

Fracture mechanical properties of shales have gained continued interest recently due to their critical role in many shale-related applications such as unconventional petroleum systems and subsurface carbon and waste disposal. However, due to their strong reactive nature to fluids, fracture mechanical properties of shales have not been extensively studied like other rock types. A more comprehensive understanding of fracture system development in shales under reactive fluids is needed for subsurface applications. We have measured fracture mechanical properties of Longmaxi shale outcrop samples in the Sichuan Basin, China, under different environments of ambient air, deionized water, saline fluids of NaCl and KCl at 0.5 M concentration, and acidic HCl fluid at pH of 5. All aqueous fluids tested show strong weakening effects on fracture propagation compared to the air environment, with the fracture toughness reduced by 75% and the subcritical fracture growth index reduced by 50%. Microstructural analysis reveals the predominantly grain boundary opening cracking mode for all tests, but the fracture traces branch more in reactive aqueous fluids. Natural fractures are comparable with artificial fractures in morphology. Bedding-perpendicular opening mode fractures with multiple-stage fracture fillings of calcite, quartz, and organic matters develop well in natural fractures. Our results suggest that clay mineral hydration and expansion are the main cause for the fluid weakening effect in Longmaxi shale, which has substantial implications for subsurface shale failure processes.

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 2663-2681
Author(s):  
Rizk El- Sayed ◽  
Mustafa Kamal ◽  
Abu-Bakr El-Bediwi ◽  
Qutaiba Rasheed Solaiman

The structure of a series of AlSb alloys prepared by melt spinning have been studied in the as melt–spun ribbons  as a function of antimony content .The stability  of these structures has  been  related to that of the transport and mechanical properties of the alloy ribbons. Microstructural analysis was performed and it was found that only Al and AlSb phases formed for different composition.  The electrical, thermal and the stability of the mechanical properties are related indirectly through the influence of the antimony content. The results are interpreted in terms of the phase change occurring to alloy system. Electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, elastic moduli and the values of microhardness are found to be more sensitive than the internal friction to the phase changes. 


Author(s):  
Aleksandra Towarek ◽  
Wojciech Jurczak ◽  
Joanna Zdunek ◽  
Mariusz Kulczyk ◽  
Jarosław Mizera

AbstractTwo model aluminium-magnesium alloys, containing 3 and 7.5 wt.% of Mg, were subjected to plastic deformation by means of hydrostatic extrusion (HE). Two degrees of deformation were imposed by two subsequent reductions of the diameter. Microstructural analysis and tensile tests of the materials in the initial state and after deformation were performed. For both materials, HE extrusion resulted in the deformation of the microstructure—formation of the un-equilibrium grain boundaries and partition of the grains. What is more, HE resulted in a significant increase of tensile strength and decrease of the elongation, mostly after the first degree of deformation.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2865
Author(s):  
Md Jihad Miah ◽  
Md. Munir Hossain Patoary ◽  
Suvash Chandra Paul ◽  
Adewumi John Babafemi ◽  
Biranchi Panda

This paper investigates the possibility of utilizing steel slags produced in the steelmaking industry as an alternative to burnt clay brick aggregate (BA) in concrete. Within this context, physical, mechanical (i.e., compressive and splitting tensile strength), length change, and durability (porosity) tests were conducted on concrete made with nine different percentage replacements (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, and 100% by volume of BA) of BA by induction of furnace steel slag aggregate (SSA). In addition, the chemical composition of aggregate through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and microstructural analysis through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of aggregates and concrete were performed. The experimental results show that the physical and mechanical properties of concrete made with SSA were significantly higher than that of concrete made with BA. The compressive and tensile strength increased by 73% when SSA fully replaced BA. The expansion of concrete made with SSA was a bit higher than the concrete made with BA. Furthermore, a significant lower porosity was observed for concrete made with SSA than BA, which decreased by 40% for 100% SSA concrete than 100% BA concrete. The relation between compressive and tensile strength with the porosity of concrete mixes are in agreement with the relationships presented in the literature. This study demonstrates that SSA can be used as a full replacement of BA, which is economical, conserves the natural aggregate, and is sustainable building material since burning brick produces a lot of CO2.


Wear ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 302 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1453-1460 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.A.M. Alwahdi ◽  
A. Kapoor ◽  
F.J. Franklin

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (23) ◽  
pp. 10407-10418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhong-Zhou Yang ◽  
Oliver Tschopp ◽  
Nicolas Di-Poï ◽  
Elisabeth Bruder ◽  
Anne Baudry ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) plays a critical role in the regulation of metabolism, transcription, cell migration, cell cycle progression, and cell survival. The existence of viable knockout mice for each of the three isoforms suggests functional redundancy. We generated mice with combined mutant alleles of Akt1 and Akt3 to study their effects on mouse development. Here we show that Akt1 − / − Akt3 +/ − mice display multiple defects in the thymus, heart, and skin and die within several days after birth, while Akt1 +/ − Akt3 − / − mice survive normally. Double knockout (Akt1 − / − Akt3 − / −) causes embryonic lethality at around embryonic days 11 and 12, with more severe developmental defects in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Increased apoptosis was found in the developing brain of double mutant embryos. These data indicate that the Akt1 gene is more essential than Akt3 for embryonic development and survival but that both are required for embryo development. Our results indicate isoform-specific and dosage-dependent effects of Akt on animal survival and development.


2015 ◽  
Vol 798 ◽  
pp. 410-418
Author(s):  
Anh Dung Ngo ◽  
Thu Nga Ho ◽  
Khalid Sefrioui Manar

Environmental and loading mode effects on the tensile properties of Hemp fibre were investigated. At first, absorption of moisture into the fibre from ambient air and absorption of water into the fibre in immersion were studied. Then static and cyclic loadings tensile tests were conducted in various temperature and humidity conditions. It was found that, in ambient air (0% < RH < 80%) the moisture content of the studied fibre decreased with the increase of temperature conformed to the GAB model suggesting a multilayer absorption mechanism. On the contrary, for the fibre immersed in water, the moisture content increased with the increase of temperature. The activation of temperature on the diffusion of the water into the fibre by micro-pores and lumens jointly with the lack of possibility for the imprisoned water to evaporate might be the cause of this effect. Experimental results suggested that temperature and humidity could individually reduce the mechanical properties of Hemp fibre. Their interaction caused even a more harmful effect. Semi empirical and neural networks were used to predict the hygro-thermal effects on the mechanical properties under static tensile loading. Broken surfaces of the specimens were also examined showing different failure modes for static and cyclic tensile loadings. Finally, the value of the cellulose micro-fibrils angle (MFA) estimated using the static tensile stress-strain curve was 8.4o±1.9o.


Author(s):  
M. Shunmugasundaram ◽  
A. Praveenkumar ◽  
L. Ponraj Sankar ◽  
S. Sivasankar

Mechanical properties of materials are enhanced by different methods to increase the usage of the materials. In this research spray pyrolysis method is employed to increase the mechanical characteristics of three different materials. The tin oxide is chosen as coated material and aluminium, brass, mild steel are selected as substrate materials. The 500nm thin film is developed over the substrate materials by spray pyrolysis. The substrate temperature are chosen as 300? C for aluminium, 400? C for brass and mildsteel. Nozzle to substrate distance is 0.4 m, substrate temperature is 300? C for aluminium and 400? C for solution concentration as 0.2 mole and solution flow rate is 1ml/min are selected for constant deposition parameters. The hardness and tensile strength result clearly shows that strength is increased by adding the coating over the surface. The material is heated above crystallization temperature and SnO2 increases the tensile and hardness strength of the materials. The triangular metrological microscope is used to examine the microstructure of non coated and coated substrate materials. The microstructural analysis is showed that the uncoated surface of the substrate material is full of rough and pores. And displays that the tin oxide coated surface of the substrates after the initial deposition disclosed a surface with a agglomeration of tin oxide in homogeneous and uniform than the uncoated substrates.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan C Acosta ◽  
Mark E Curtis ◽  
Carl H Sondergeld ◽  
Chandra S Rai

Abstract Volcanic ash beds are thin layers commonly observed in the Eagle Ford, Niobrara and, Vaca Muerta formations. Because of their differences in composition, sedimentary structures, and diagenetic alteration, they exhibit a significant contrast in mechanical properties with respect to surrounding formation layers. This can impact hydraulic fracturing, affecting fracture propagation and fracture geometry. Quantifying the mechanical properties of ash beds becomes significant; however, it is a challenge with traditional testing methods. Common logging fails to identify the ash beds, and core plug testing is not possible because of their friability. In this study, nanoindentation was used to measure the mechanical properties (Young's modulus, creep, and anisotropy) in Eagle Ford ash beds, and to determine the contrast with the formation matrix properties. Two separate ash beds of high clay and plagioclase composition were epoxied in an aluminum tray and left for 48 hours curing time. Horizontal and vertical samples of ash beds were acquired and mounted on a metal stub, followed by polishing and broad beam ion milling. Adjacent samples were also prepared for high-resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) microstructural analysis. The Young's modulus in ash beds ranged from 12 to 24 GPa, with the horizontal direction Young's modulus being slightly greater than that of the vertical samples. The Young's modulus contrast with adjacent layers was calculated to be 1:2 with clay-rich zones and 1:4 with calcite rich zones. The creep deformation rate was three times higher for ash beds compared to other zones. Using Backus averaging, it was determined that the presence of ash beds can increase the anisotropy in the formation by 15-25%. SEM results showed a variation in microstructure between the ash beds with evidence of diagenetic conversion of rhyolitic material into clays. Key differences between the two ash beds were due to the presence of plagioclase and the occurrence of porosity within kaolinite. Overall porosity varied between the two ash beds and adjacent carbonate layers showing a significant increase in porosity. Understanding the moduli contrast between adjacent layers can improve the hydraulic fracturing design when ash beds are encountered. In addition, the presence of these beds can lead to proppant embedment and loss in fracture connectivity. These results can be used for improving geomechanical models.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milad Haghighi ◽  
Mohammad Shaeri ◽  
Arman Sedghi ◽  
Faramarz Djavanroodi

The effect of graphene nanosheet (GNS) reinforcement on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the titanium matrix composite has been discussed. For this purpose, composites with various GNS contents were prepared by cold pressing and sintering at various time periods. Density calculation by Archimedes’ principle revealed that Ti/GNSs composites with reasonable high density (more than 99.5% of theoretical density) were produced after sintering for 5 h. Microstructural analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed that TiC particles were formed in the matrix during the sintering process as a result of a titanium reaction with carbon. Higher GNS content as well as sintering time resulted in an increase in TiC particle size and volume fraction. Microhardness and shear punch tests demonstrated considerable improvement of the specimens’ mechanical properties with the increment of sintering time and GNS content up to 1 wt. %. The microhardness and shear strength of 1 wt. % GNS composites were enhanced from 316 HV and 610 MPa to 613 HV and 754 MPa, respectively, when composites sintered for 5 h. It is worth mentioning that the formation of the agglomerates of unreacted GNSs in 1.5 wt. % GNS composites resulted in a dramatic decrease in mechanical properties.


2010 ◽  
Vol 638-642 ◽  
pp. 3479-3484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta O. Rocha ◽  
Tulio M.F. Melo ◽  
Dagoberto Brandao Santos

The influence of continuous annealing variables on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a C-Mn Dual Phase (DP) steel was studied. The annealing cycles were simulated using a Gleeble machine. Some specimens were quenched at different stages of the annealing cycle in order to evaluate the microstructural evolution during the annealing process. Tensile tests and microstrutural analysis were carried out. The results showed that high heating rates increased the final recrystallization temperature and as a consequence the microstructure obtained was refined. Austenite grain nucleation and growth were also influenced by the heating rates. Soaking temperature was the most influent variable on the mechanical properties, i. e., the yield strength increased and the tensile strength decreased with an increase in the soaking temperature. Microstructural analysis showed that not only martensite, but also bainite and martensite-retained autenite constituent (MA) were formed. Undissolved carbides were also detected by transmission electron microscopy.


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