Mode-I-crack compression modeling and numerical simulation for evaluation of in-situ stress around advancing coal workfaces

The relatively high stress probably leads to generation of a fractured or even instable area around a working coalface. Also, the generated weak area often evolves into an easy-infiltrating field of water/gas to greatly increase probability of accident occurrence. To reveal the distribution of high stress around working faces, we put forward the mode-I-crack compression model. In this model, the goaf following a working face is regarded as a mode-I crack in an infinite plate, and the self-gravity of overlaying strata is transformed into an uniform pressure applied normal to the upper edge of the model crack. Solving this problem is based on the Westergaard complex stress function. For comparison, the software RFPA-2D is also employed to simulate the same mining problem, and furthermore extendedly to calculate the stress interference induced by the simultaneous advances of two different working faces. The results show that, the area close to a working face or the goaf tail has the maximum stress, and the stress is distributed directly proportional to the square root of the advance and inversely proportional to the square root of the distance to the working face. The simultaneous advances of two neighboring working faces in different horizontals can lead to extremely high resultant stress in an interference area.

The Hydraulic Fracturing Optimization for Stacked Tight Gas Reservoirs Using Multilayers and Multiwells Fracturing Strategies

Based on a geology-engineering sweet spot evaluation,the high-quality reservoir zones and horizontal well landing points were determined.Subsequently,fracture propagation and production were simulated with a multilayer fracturing scenario.The optimal hydraulic fracturing strategy for themultilayer fracturing networkwas determined by introducing a vertical asymmetry factor.This strategy aimed to minimize stress shadowing effects in the vertical direction while maximizing the stimulated reservoir volume(SRV).The study found that the small vertical layer spacing of high-quality reservoirs and the presence of stress-masking layers(with a stress difference of approximately 3∼8 MPa)indicate that interlayer stress interference from multilayers and multiwells fracturing between neighboring developed formations could affect the longitudinal propagation of the reservoirs.In addition,this study investigated well spacing optimization by comparing uniformly spaced wells(100–300 m)with asymmetric spaced wells(200 m upper layer,250 m lower layer).Numerical results indicated that asymmetric spaced well placement yielded the largest stimulated reservoir volume(SRV)of 73,082 m^(3),representing a 65.42%increase compared to 100 m spaced wells.Furthermore,four different hydraulic fracturing sequences(interlayer,up-down,down-up,and center-edge)were compared for multilayer and multiwell networks.The center-edge sequence exhibited the lowest vertical asymmetry factor(0.71)and the least stress shadowing effects compared to the other sequences(0.78 for interlayer,0.75 for up-down,and 0.76 for down-up).This sequence also achieved the largest SRV(486,194m^(3)),representing an 11.87%increase compared to the down-up sequence.Therefore,the center-edge fracturing sequence is recommended formultilayer development in this block.These results offer valuable insights for optimizing well placement and fracturing sequence design in multilayer well networks,ultimately advancing the development of multilayer fracturing technology in the region.

Reliability analysis of aero-engine blades considering nonlinear strength degeneration

To comprehensively consider the effects of strength degeneration and failure correlation, an improved stress–strength interference （SSI） model is proposed to analyze the reliability of aeroengine blades with the fatigue failure mode. Two types of TC4 alloy experiments are conducted for the study on the damage accumulation law. All the parameters in the nonlinear damage model are obtained by the tension–compression fatigue tests, and the accuracy of the nonlinear damage model is verified by the damage tests. The strength degeneration model is put forward on the basis of the Chaboche nonlinear damage theory and the Griffith fracture criterion, and determined by measuring the fatigue toughness during the tests. From the comparison of two kinds of degeneration models based on the Miner’s linear law and the nonlinear damage model respectively, the nonlinear model has a significant advantage on prediction accuracy especially in the later period of life. A time-dependent SSI reliability model is established. By computing the stress distribution using the finite element （FE） technique, the reliability of a single blade during the whole service life is obtained. Considering the failure correlation of components, a modified reliability model of aero-engine blades with common cause failure （CCF） is presented. It shows a closer and more reasonable process with the actual working condition. The improved reliability model is illustrated to be applied to aero-engine blades well, and the approach purposed in this paper is suitable for any actual machinery component of aero-engine rotor systems.