Dynamic coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical problem for heterogeneous deep-sea sediments under vibration of mining vehicle

Due to the influence of deep-sea environment,deep-sea sediments are usually heterogeneous,and their moduli of elasticity and density change as depth changes.Combined with the characteristics of deep-sea sediments,the thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling dynamic response model of heterogeneous saturated porous sediments can be established to study the influence of elastic modulus,density,frequency,and load amplitude changes on the model.Based on the Green-Lindsay generalized thermoelasticity theory and Darcy’s law,the thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled dynamic response model and governing equations of heterogeneous deep-sea sediments with nonlinear elastic modulus and density are established.The analytical solutions of dimensionless vertical displacement,vertical stress,excess pore water pressure,and temperature are obtained by means of normal modal analysis,which are depicted graphically.The results show that the changes of elastic modulus and density have few effects on vertical displacement,vertical stress,and temperature,but have great effects on excess pore water pressure.When the mining machine vibrates,the heterogeneity of deep-sea sediments has great influence on vertical displacement,vertical stress,and excess pore water pressure,but has few effects on temperature.In addition,the vertical displacement,vertical stress,and excess pore water pressure of heterogeneous deep-sea sediments change more gently.The variation trends of physical quantities for heterogeneous and homogeneous deep-sea sediments with frequency and load amplitude are basically the same.The results can provide theoretical guidance for deep-sea mining engineering construction.

Formulation of thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling behavior of unsaturated soils based on hybrid mixture theory

Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical （THM） coupling pro- cesses in unsaturated soils are very important in both theoretical researches and engineering applications. A coupled formulation based on hybrid mixture theory is derived to model the THM coupling behavior of unsaturated soils. The free-energy and dissipative functions for different phases are derived from Taylor＇s series expansions. Constitutive relations for THM coupled behaviors of unsaturated soils, which include deformation, entropy change, fluid flow, heat conduction, and dynamic compatibility conditions on the interfaces, are then established. The number of field equations is shown to be equal to the number of unknown variables; thus, a closure of this coupling problem is established. In addition to modifications of the physical conservation equations with coupling effect terms, the constitutive equations, which consider the coupling between elastoplastic deformation of the soil skeleton, fluid flow, and heat transfer, are also derived.

A fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model for unsaturated porous media

In examining potential host rocks for such purposes as the disposal of high-level radioactive wastes,it is important to understand the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical（THM） behavior of a porous medium.A rigorous and fully unified coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model for unsaturated porous media is required to simulate the complex coupling mechanisms involved.Based on modified Darcy＇s and Fourier＇s laws,equations of mechanical equilibrium,mass conservation and energy conservation are derived by introducing void ratio and volumetric liquid water content into the model.The newly derived model takes into account the effects of temperature on the dynamic viscosity of liquid water and void ratio,the influence of liquid flow on temperature gradient（thermo-osmosis）,the influence on mass and heat conservation equations,and the influence of heat flow on water pressure gradient and thermal convection.The new coupled THM constitutive model is constructed by a finite element program and is used to simulate the coupled behavior of a tunnel during excavation,ventilation and concrete lining stages.Oil and gas engineering,underground disposal of nuclear waste and tunnel engineering may be benefited from the development of the new model.

Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical simulation of CO2 enhanced gas recovery with an extended equation of state module for TOUGH2MP-FLAC3D

As one of the most important ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emission,carbon dioxide（CO2）enhanced gas recovery（CO2-EGR） is attractive since the gas recovery can be enhanced simultaneously with CO2sequestration.Based on the existing equation of state（EOS） module of TOUGH2 MP,extEOS7C is developed to calculate the phase partition of H2O-CO2-CH4-NaCl mixtures accurately with consideration of dissolved NaCI and brine properties at high pressure and temperature conditions.Verifications show that it can be applied up to the pressure of 100 MPa and temperature of 150℃.The module was implemented in the linked simulator TOUGH2MP-FLAC3 D for the coupled hydro-mechanical simulations.A simplified three-dimensional（3D）1/4 model（2.2 km×1 km×1 km） which consists of the whole reservoir,caprock and baserock was generated based on the geological conditions of a gas field in the North German Basin.The simulation results show that,under an injection rate of 200,000 t/yr and production rate of 200,000 sm3/d,CO2breakthrough occurred in the case with the initial reservoir pressure of 5 MPa but did not occur in the case of 42 MPa.Under low pressure conditions,the pressure driven horizontal transport is the dominant process;while under high pressure conditions,the density driven vertical flow is dominant.Under the considered conditions,the CO2-EGR caused only small pressure changes.The largest pore pressure increase（2 MPa） and uplift（7 mm） occurred at the caprock bottom induced by only CO2injection.The caprock had still the primary stress state and its integrity was not affected.The formation water salinity and temperature variations of ±20℃ had small influences on the CO2-EGR process.In order to slow down the breakthrough,it is suggested that CO2-EGR should be carried out before the reservoir pressure drops below the critical pressure of CO2.

Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling of frost heave and water migration during artificial freezing of soils for mineshaft sinking

Artificial freezing of water-bearing soil layers composing a sedimentary deposit can induce frost heave and water migration that affect the natural stress-strain state of the soil layers and freezing process.In the present paper,a thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)model for freezing of water-saturated soil is proposed to study the effects of frost heave and water migration in frozen soils on the formation of a frozen wall and subsequent excavation activity for sinking a vertical shaft.The governing equations of the model are formulated relative to porosity,temperature,and displacement which are considered as primary variables.The relationship between temperature,pore water,and ice pressure in frozen soil is established by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation,whereas the interaction between the stress-strain behavior and changes in porosity and pore pressure is described with the poromechanics theory.Moreover,constitutive relations for additional mechanical deformation are incorporated to describe volumetric expansion of soil during freezing as well as creep strain of soil in the frozen state.The ability of the proposed model to capture the frost heave of frozen soil is demonstrated by a comparison between numerical results and experimental data given by a one-sided freezing test.Also to validate the model in other freezing conditions,a radial freezing experiment is performed.After the validation procedure,the model is applied to numerical simulation of artificial freezing of silt and sand layers for shaft sinking at Petrikov potash mine in Belarus.Comparison of calculated temperature with thermal monitoring data during active freezing stage is presented.Numerical analysis of deformation of unsupported sidewall of a shaft inside the frozen wall is conducted to account for the change in natural stress-strain state of soil layers induced by artificial freezing.

Comparison of numerical codes for coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical simulations of fractured media

Geo-energy and geo-engineering applications,such as improved oil recovery(IOR),geologic carbon storage,and enhanced geothermal systems(EGSs),involve coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)processes that result from fluid injection and production.In some cases,reservoirs are highly fractured and the geomechanical response is controlled by fractures.Therefore,fractures should explicitly be included into numerical models to realistically simulate the THM responses of the subsurface.In this study,we perform coupled THM numerical simulations of water injection into naturally fractured reservoirs(NFRs)using CODE_BRIGHT and TOUGH-UDEC codes.CODE_BRIGHT is a finite element method(FEM)code that performs fully coupled THM analysis in geological media and TOUGH-UDEC sequentially solves coupled THM processes by combining a finite volume method(FVM)code that solves nonisothermal multiphase flow(TOUGH2)with a distinct element method(DEM)code that solves the mechanical problem(UDEC).First,we validate the two codes against a semi-analytical solution for water injection into a single deformable fracture considering variable permeability based on the cubic law.Then,we compare simulation results of the two codes in an idealized conceptual model that includes one horizontal fracture and in a more realistic model with multiple fractures.Each code models fractures differently.UDEC calculates fracture deformation from the fracture normal and shear stiffnesses,while CODE_BRIGHT treats fractures as equivalent porous media and uses the equivalent Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the fracture.Finally,we obtain comparable results of pressure,temperature,stress and displacement distributions and evolutions for the single horizontal fracture model.Despite some similarities,the two codes provide increasingly different results as model complexity increases.These differences highlight the challenging task of accurately modeling coupled THM processes in fractured media given their high nonlinearity.

季节性非饱和冻土地温监测及冻胀特性THM耦合模拟

季节性冻土的冻胀融沉影响当地建筑物与构筑物的结构安全,找到地温随时间的变化数据可推算时间域内冻胀融沉对地面建筑的影响规律.以大庆市非饱和冻土为例,基于热传导理论和非饱和土渗流理论,在原位地温监测数据的基础上,建立了冻土的含相变过程的热-流-固(THM)三场耦合数值模型.通过数值模拟结果与实测结果的比较验证了冻土模型的准确性.结果表明:地温随地表温度呈延时周期性变化,在地面以下2.0 m以内,深度每增加0.5 m,温度波峰和波谷日大约推迟30 d;冻结期持续时间影响冻结深度,从而对当地土的周期性冻胀量起决定性影响,冻结期内土的每年最大冻胀位移为30.0 mm左右,冻结期结束后地面高度将快速恢复到冻结期之前的水平,季冻区冻胀融沉敏感性建筑物及构筑物的基础施工时间选择在冻结期结束后2个月至冻结期开始前,可有效减少冻胀融沉危害,大庆及其他类似季节性冻土地区的土壤冻融和冻融过程中的水热迁移研究可作为借鉴.

Main outcomes from in situ thermo-hydro-mechanical experiments programme to demonstrate feasibility of radioactive high-level waste disposal in the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone

In the context of radioactive waste disposal,an underground research laboratory(URL)is a facility in which experiments are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing and operating a radioactive waste disposal facility within a geological formation.The Meuse/Haute-Marne URL is a sitespecific facility planned to study the feasibility of a radioactive waste disposal in the Callovo-Oxfordian(COx)claystone.The thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)behaviour of the host rock is significant for the design of the underground nuclear waste disposal facility and for its long-term safety.The French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency(Andra)has begun a research programme aiming to demonstrate the relevancy of the French high-level waste(HLW)concept.This paper presents the programme implemented from small-scale(small diameter)boreholes to full-scale demonstration experiments to study the THM effects of the thermal transient on the COx claystone and the strategy implemented in this new programme to demonstrate and optimise current disposal facility components for HLW.It shows that the French high-level waste concept is feasible and working in the COx claystone.It also exhibits that,as for other plastic clay or claystone,heating-induced pore pressure increases and that the THM behaviour is anisotropic.

THM耦合条件下CO_(2)地质封存注入方案优化研究

我国首个GCS示范工程神华多储层场地出现了单储层吸气量剧增的现象,在其原设计方案下,压缩后变冷的CO_(2)被注入至深部高温含水层中,引起首层含水层中流体压力和温度应力急剧变化,从而导致大量裂隙产生,增加了单储层的可注入性的同时,降低了系统总体封存能力,并带来了泄露风险。本文基于TOUGH-FLAC三维多相多组分THM耦合数值模拟程序,开发了场地尺度岩体开裂模块来研究CO_(2)注入方案对目标含水层耦合特性和开裂特性的综合影响,并设计了定速率、先增速后定速、间歇定速、间歇变速、二次变速等多类型注入方案,分别计算分析了储层岩体的热力学特性、多相流特性与开裂情况。结果表明:设计方案下含水层产生了较多的开裂现象,是导致其可注入性增大的根本原因,持续注入CO_(2)引起含水层岩体中有效应力大幅度降低,渗透率增加,定速率方案产生的温度应力最小,在设计各类注入方案中,定速率注入方案下储层的裂缝发育最少。

Experiments on thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of Opalinus Clay at Mont Terri rock laboratory, Switzerland

Repositories for deep geological disposal of radioactive waste rely on multi-barrier systems to isolate waste from the biosphere.A multi-barrier system typically comprises the natural geological barrier provided by the repository host rock e in our case the Opalinus Clay e and an engineered barrier system(EBS).The Swiss repository concept for spent fuel and vitrified high-level waste(HLW)consists of waste canisters,which are emplaced horizontally in the middle of an emplacement gallery and are separated from the gallery wall by granular backfill material(GBM).We describe here a selection of five in-situ experiments where characteristic hydro-mechanical(HM)and thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)processes have been observed.The first example is a coupled HM and mine-by test where the evolution of the excavation damaged zone(EDZ)was monitored around a gallery in the Opalinus Clay(ED-B experiment).Measurements of pore-water pressures and convergences due to stress redistribution during excavation highlighted the HM behaviour.The same measurements were subsequently carried out in a heater test(HE-D)where we were able to characterise the Opalinus Clay in terms of its THM behaviour.These yielded detailed data to better understand the THM behaviours of the granular backfill and the natural host rock.For a presentation of the Swiss concept for HLW storage,we designed three demonstration experiments that were subsequently implemented in the Mont Terri rock laboratory:(1)the engineered barrier(EB)experiment,(2)the in-situ heater test on key-THM processes and parameters(HE-E)experiment,and(3)the full-scale emplacement(FE)experiment.The first demonstration experiment has been dismantled,but the last two ones are on-going.

Numerical thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling of compacted bentonite in China-mock-up test for deep geological disposal

The China-mock-up test is to evaluate the performance of the compacted Gaomiaozi （GMZ） bentonite under coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical （THM） conditions in deep geological disposal. A numerical study of the test is conducted in this paper. The principal THM characteristics of the bentonite are presented at first. A THM model is then presented to tackle the complex coupling behavior of the bentonite. The model of Alonso-Gens is incorporated to reproduce the mechanical behavior of the bentonite under unsaturated conditions. With the proposed model, numerical simulations of the China-mock-up test are carried out by using the code of LAGAMINE. The time variations associated with the temperature, degree of saturation, suction and swelling pressure of the compacted bentonite are studied. The results suggest that the proposed model is able to reproduce the mechanical behavior of the bentonite, and to predict moisture motion under coupled THM conditions.

Thermal-hydro-mechanical coupling damage model of brittle rock

Based on fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and damage mechanics, thermal-hydro-mechanical(THM) coupling damage model of brittle rock is established by analyzing THM coupling mechanism, where THM coupling damage variable DTHM is dominated by TH coupling damage variable DTH, TM coupling damage variable DTM and HM coupling damage variable DHM, and DTH is firstly expressed in term of dimensionless total thermal conductivity of the water Nu. Permeability test, uni-axial compression test and THM coupling test are conducted to measure the permeability, elastic modulus and THM coupling stress-strain curves of brittle rock. The tested values of THM coupling elastic modulus THME? are in good agreement with the predicted values of THM coupling elastic modulus ETHM, which can verify the newly established THM coupling damage model.

Parametric study of thermo-hydro-mechanical response of claystone with consideration of steel corrosion

In this paper,the thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)response of claystone is studied via a series of parametric studies,considering the evolution of mechanical properties and deformation behavior of corroded steel.The numerical simulations are performed by using a coupled THM finite element code and two different constitutive models:a visco-elastoplastic model for geological formation and a von Mises type model for steel liner.The mechanical properties and deformation behavior of corroded steel are described in a conceptual model.Finally,a disposal tunnel supported by a steel liner is studied and a series of parametric studies is defined to demonstrate the corrosion effects of steel liner on the THM response of the claystone.The comparison of different numerical calculations exhibits that the volumetric expansion related to corrosion products has an important impact on the stress and displacement fields in the claystone surrounding the disposal tunnel.However,the evolutions of temperature and liquid pressure in the claystone are essentially controlled by its THM properties and independent of the steel corrosion.

THM Coupled Modeling in Near Field of an Assumed HLW Deep Geological Disposal Repository

One of the most suitable ways under study for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is isolation in deep geological repositories. It is very important to research the thermo-hydro- mechanical (THM) coupled processes associated with an HLW disposal repository. Non-linear coupled equations, which are used to describe the THM coupled process and are suited to saturated-unsaturated porous media, are presented in this paper. A numerical method to solve these equations is put forward, and a finite element code is developed. This code is suited to the plane strain or axis-symmetry problem. Then this code is used to simulate the THM coupled process in the near field of an ideal disposal repository. The temperature vs. time, hydraulic head vs. time and stress vs. time results show that, in this assumed condition, the impact of temperature is very long (over 10 000 a) and the impact of the water head is short (about 90 d). Since the stress is induced by temperature and hydraulic head in this condition, the impact time of stress is the same as that of temperature. The results show that THM coupled processes are very important in the safety analysis of an HLW deep geological disposal repository.

Thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling of fault discontinuities using zero-thickness interface element

In this paper,a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)simulation in a faulted deformable porous medium is presented.This model involves solving the mass conservation,linear momentum balance,and energy balance equations which are derived from the Biot’s consolidation theory.Fluid pore pressure,solid displacement,and temperature are chosen as initial variables in these equations,and the finite element method in combination with the interface element is used for spatial discretization of continuous and discontinuities(fault)parts of the medium to solve the equations.The main purpose of this study is providing precise formulations,applicability,and ability of the triple-node zero-thickness interface element in THM modeling of faults.It should be noted that the system of equations is solved using a computer code written in Matlab program.In order to verify the developed method,simulations of index problems such as Mandel’s problem,and coupled modeling of a faulted porous medium and a faulted aquifer are presented.The modeling results obtained from the developed method show a very good agreement with those by other modeling methods,which indicates its accuracy.

Joints in unsaturated rocks:Thermo-hydro-mechanical formulation and constitutive behaviour

A formulation for the coupled analysis of thermo-hydro-mechanical （THM） problems in joints is first presented. The work involves the establishment of equilibrium and mass and energy balance equations. Balance equations were formulated taking into account two phases： water and air. The joint element developed was implemented in a general purpose finite element computer code for THM analysis of porous media （Code_Bright）. The program was then used to study a number of cases ranging from laboratory tests to large scale in situ tests. A numerical simulation of coupled hydraulic shear tests of rough granite joints is first presented. The tests as well as the model show the coupling between permeability and the deformation of thejoints. The experimental investigation was focused on the effects of suction on the mechanical behaviour of rock joints. Laboratory tests were performed in a direct shear cell equipped with suction control. Suction was imposed using a vapour forced convection circuit connected to the cell and controlled by an air pump. Artificial joints of Lilla claystone were prepared.Joint roughness of varying intensity was created by carving the surfaces in contact in such a manner that rock ridges of different tip angles were formed. These angles ranged from 0° （smooth joint） to 45° （very rough joint profile）. The geometric profiles of the two surfaces in contact were initially positioned in a ＂matching＂ situation. Several tests were performed for different values of suctions （200, 100, and 20 MPa） and for different values of vertical stresses （30, 60, and 150 kPa）. A constitutive model including the effects of suction and joint roughness is proposed to simulate the unsaturated behaviour of rock joints. The new constitutive law was incorporated in the code and experimental results were numerically simulated.

岩石破裂过程THMD耦合数值模型研究

从岩石的细观非均匀性特点出发,应用损伤力学、热力学和渗流力学理论,建立了岩体热(温度)-水(渗流)-岩(应力)-损伤耦合数值模型(THMD model),把岩石(体)THM耦合问题的研究从应力状态分析深入到损伤、破坏过程分析之中。探讨了THM耦合作用下岩石材料的细观结构损伤及其诱发的材料力学性能演化机制,并运用所提出方法计算温度-渗流-应力耦合作用下井筒近场围岩的稳定性,模拟得到的岩体破坏过程、应力分布、AE特性及渗流特性变化与现场标定结果有着一致的规律性,初步证明了该数值模型的合理性和有效性。THMD模型以简单的数值模型表征了岩石(体)中热、水、岩及损伤之间复杂的作用关系,为从细观损伤演化揭示宏观岩体温度-渗流-应力耦合破坏机制提供了一种新的数值分析方法。

地铁联络通道冻结施工的热流固(THM)耦合分析

随着城市地铁规模的不断发展,冻结法在地铁联络通道施工中得到了广泛应用.为了得到合适的地层冻结工艺参数和指标,了解开挖隧道对地层稳定性的影响,保证工程的安全性,基于考虑相变及冻胀的热-流-固(THM)耦合理论,采用COMSOL有限元分析软件模拟某地铁联络通道水平人工冻结及开挖施工过程.分析了冻结过程中地层温度场、渗流场及位移场的变化规律,研究了开挖后地层位移场的分布规律.结果表明:由于水渗流作用,温度场和位移场的分布不再关于y轴对称;在人工冻结过程中,地表处冻胀位移的最大值出现在y轴以右,冻胀量变化表现为先线性增长,而后趋于稳定.总体上,实施人工冻结可以很好地增加周围土体的强度及稳定性,对止水和抑制地层变形具有良好的效果.

多相流传输THM全耦合数值模型及程序验证

基于连续介质力学原理和混合体理论,导出多孔介质多相流THM全耦合数学模型。该模型从固、液、气三相系统的动量、质量及能量守恒出发,考虑应力–应变、水体流动、气体传输、蒸气传输、热能传输和孔隙率演化等6个过程的耦合作用,实现对相变、溶解、热驱动、湿度传输和吸湿膨胀等物理现象的模拟,确保THM耦合控制方程组的封闭性和协调性。该模型在THM耦合体系中纳入气体及蒸气传输过程,摒弃以往采用基质吸力和绝对温度定义相对湿度的传统方法,从而使描述介质气体和蒸气运移特性以及THM耦合特性的相对湿度在严格的物理意义上加以定义。通过选取位移、水压、气压、蒸气压、温度和孔隙率为基本未知量,建立有限元数值计算格式,研发三维八自由度多相流THM全耦合有限元程序THYME3D,并采用法国原子能委员会开展的膨润土THM耦合Mock-up试验对数值模型和计算程序进行验证,揭示试验过程涉及的多场耦合机制。研究结果深化对多相流THM全耦合控制方程组、本构关系及计算参数特性的理解,从而为进一步研究THMC全耦合问题奠定基础。

岩体THM耦合模型控制方程建立

根据岩体三场耦合的机理分析,从线性动量守恒、质量守恒和能量守恒出发,理论上推导出以位移、孔隙压力和温度为未知量的THM耦合控制方程组,包括岩块变形场方程、地下水连续性方程和水、岩能量守恒方程.方程组不仅考虑了水、岩的密度随温度和压力变化,同时也考虑了水、岩温度不同具有热交换,最后还对后继研究提出了建议.