Numerical simulation of three-dimensional fracturing fracture propagation in radial wells

A fracture propagation model of radial well fracturing is established based on the finite element-meshless method.The model considers the coupling effect of fracturing fluid flow and rock matrix deformation.The fracture geometries of radial well fracturing are simulated,the induction effect of radial well on the fracture is quantitatively characterized,and the influences of azimuth,horizontal principle stress difference,and reservoir matrix permeability on the fracture geometries are revealed.The radial wells can induce the fractures to extend parallel to their axes when two radial wells in the same layer are fractured.When the radial wells are symmetrically distributed along the direction of the minimum horizontal principle stress with the azimuth greater than 15,the extrusion effect reduces the fracture length of radial wells.When the radial wells are symmetrically distributed along the direction of the maximum horizontal principal stress,the extrusion increases the fracture length of the radial wells.The fracture geometries are controlled by the rectification of radial borehole,the extrusion between radial wells in the same layer,and the deflection of the maximum horizontal principal stress.When the radial wells are distributed along the minimum horizontal principal stress symmetrically,the fracture length induced by the radial well decreases with the increase of azimuth;in contrast,when the radial wells are distributed along the maximum horizontal principal stress symmetrically,the fracture length induced by the radial well first decreases and then increases with the increase of azimuth.The fracture length induced by the radial well decreases with the increase of horizontal principal stress difference.The increase of rock matrix permeability and pore pressure of the matrix around radial wells makes the inducing effect of the radial well on fractures increase.

Subchondral fatigue fracture of the femoral head in young military recruits:Potential risk factors

BACKGROUND Subchondral fatigue fracture of the femoral head(SFFFH)mainly occurs in young military recruits and might be confused with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.However,less research focuses on the risk factor for SFFFH.AIM To evaluate the intrinsic risk factors for SFFFH in young military recruits.METHODS X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging data were used for analysis.Acetabular anteversion of the superior acetabulum,acetabular anteversion of the center of the acetabulum(AVcen),anterior acetabular sector angle(AASA),posterior acetabular sector angle,superior acetabular sector angle,neck-shaft angle(NSA),inferior iliac angle(IIA),and ischiopubic angle were calculated.Then,logistic regression,receiver operating characteristic curve analysis,and independent samples t-test were performed to identify the risk factors for SFFFH.RESULTS Based on the results of logistic regression,age[odds ratio(OR):1.33;95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.12-1.65;P=0.0031]and treatment timing(OR:0.86;95%CI:0.75-0.96;P=0.015)could be considered as the indicators for SFFFH.AVcen(P=0.0334),AASA(P=0.0002),NSA(P=0.0007),and IIA(P=0.0316)were considered to have statistical significance.Further,AVcen(OR:1.41;95%CI:1.04-1.95)and AASA(OR:1.44;95%CI:1.21-1.77),especially AASA(area under curve:66.6%),should be paid much more attention due to the higher OR than other indicators.CONCLUSION We have for the first time unveiled that AASA and age could be key risk factors for SFFFH,which further verifies that deficient anterior coverage of the acetabulum might be the main cause of SFFFH.

Fracture Mechanics and Its Application in the Fatigue Behavior of Reinforced Welded Hand-Holes in Aluminum Light Poles

Predicting fatigue life of a given specimen using analytical methods can sometimes be challenging. An approach worth considering for this prediction involves employing fracture mechanics. Fracture mechanics can complement both laboratory experiments and finite element analysis (FEA) in estimating fatigue life of a given specimen, if relevant. In the case of aluminum light poles containing a welded hand-hole, the fatigue life has not yet been thoroughly predicted. The University of Akron has conducted a comprehensive fatigue study on aluminum light poles through various means, albeit without of predicting of said fatigue life of the specimens. AFGROW (Air Force Growth) can be used as a fracture mechanics software to predict fatigue life. ABAQUS was used (for FEA) in conjunction with the AFGROW analysis. The purpose of this study was to ultimately predict the life of the specimens tested in the lab and was achieved with various models including hollow tube and plate models. The plate model process was ultimately found to be the best method for this prediction, yielding results that mimicked the data from the laboratory. Further application for this form of fracture mechanics analysis is still yet to be determined, but for the sake of aluminum light poles, it is possible to predict the fatigue life and utilize said prediction in the field.

Fatigue fracture mechanism of AZ31B magnesium alloy and its welded joint

Fatigue test was carried out on AZ31B magnesium alloy. Under 2×10 6 cycle times, the fatigue strengths of base metal （BM）, butt joint （BJ）, transverse cross joint （TJ）, lateral connection joint （LJ） are 66.72, 39.00, 24.38 and 24.40 MPa, respectively. The crack propagation behavior of the alloy was analyzed by optical microscopy. The AZ31B magnesium alloy base metal has a smooth crack propagation macroscopic path. However, the microscopic path is twisted and some cracks have two forks, and the crack propagation is transgranular. The crack initiates in the weld toe and the crack propagates along the HAZ for the BJ and TJ; for the LJ crack initiates in the fillet weld leg. The fatigue fracture mechanisms were analyzed by SEM. The fatigue fracture surface consists of quasi-cleavage patterns or cleavage step and a brittle fracture occurs. Numerous secondary cracks are observed; some fatigue striations exist in butt joint and its size is about 5 μm.

Strength and fatigue fracture behavior of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr(-Sn) alloys

The strength and fatigue fracture behavior of A1-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr（-Sn） alloys were studied by performing tensile tests and fatigue crack propagation （FCP） tests. The microstructures of the experimental alloys were further analyzed using optical microscopy （OM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）; phase analysis of these alloys was conducted with an X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The results show that when Sn is included, growth of the recrystallization grains in the solution-treated A1-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy is obstructed, the precipitation-free zone （PFZ） of the overaged A1-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr-Sn alloy becomes narrow, and the grain boundary precipitates are smaller. Consequently, the FCP resistance is higher. In addition, the overaged Sn-containing alloy has considerably higher tensile strength than the alloy without Sn.

Discontinuity development patterns and the challenges for 3D discrete fracture network modeling on complicated exposed rock surfaces

Natural slopes usually display complicated exposed rock surfaces that are characterized by complex and substantial terrain undulation and ubiquitous undesirable phenomena such as vegetation cover and rockfalls.This study presents a systematic outcrop research of fracture pattern variations in a complicated rock slope,and the qualitative and quantitative study of the complex phenomena impact on threedimensional(3D)discrete fracture network(DFN)modeling.As the studies of the outcrop fracture pattern have been so far focused on local variations,thus,we put forward a statistical analysis of global variations.The entire outcrop is partitioned into several subzones,and the subzone-scale variability of fracture geometric properties is analyzed(including the orientation,the density,and the trace length).The results reveal significant variations in fracture characteristics(such as the concentrative degree,the average orientation,the density,and the trace length)among different subzones.Moreover,the density of fracture sets,which is approximately parallel to the slope surface,exhibits a notably higher value compared to other fracture sets across all subzones.To improve the accuracy of the DFN modeling,the effects of three common phenomena resulting from vegetation and rockfalls are qualitatively analyzed and the corresponding quantitative data processing solutions are proposed.Subsequently,the 3D fracture geometric parameters are determined for different areas of the high-steep rock slope in terms of the subzone dimensions.The results show significant variations in the same set of 3D fracture parameters across different regions with density differing by up to tenfold and mean trace length exhibiting differences of 3e4 times.The study results present precise geological structural information,improve modeling accuracy,and provide practical solutions for addressing complex outcrop issues.

Effect of navigation endoscopy combined with threedimensional printing technology in the treatment of orbital blowout fractures

●AIM:To explore the combined application of surgical navigation nasal endoscopy(NNE)and three-dimensional printing technology(3DPT)for the adjunctive treatment of orbital blowout fractures(OBF).●METHODS:Retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of patients with OBF who underwent surgical treatment at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University between July 2012 and November 2022.The control group consisted of patients who received traditional surgical treatment(n=43),while the new surgical group(n=52)consisted of patients who received NNE with 3DPT.The difference in therapeutic effects between the two groups was evaluated by comparing the duration of the operation,best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),enophthalmos difference,recovery rate of eye movement disorder,recovery rate of diplopia,and incidence of postoperative complications.●RESULTS:The study included 95 cases(95 eyes),with 63 men and 32 women.The patients’age ranged from 5 to 67y(35.21±15.75y).The new surgical group and the control group exhibited no statistically significant differences in the duration of the operation,BCVA and enophthalmos difference.The recovery rates of diplopia in the new surgical group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 1mo[OR=0.03,95%CI(0.01–0.15),P<0.0000]and 3mo[OR=0.11,95%CI(0.03–0.36),P<0.0000]postoperation.Additionally,the recovery rates of eye movement disorders at 1 and 3mo after surgery were OR=0.08,95%CI(0.03–0.24),P<0.0000;and OR=0.01,95%CI(0.00–0.18),P<0.0000.The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in the new surgical group compared to the control group[OR=4.86,95%CI(0.95–24.78),P<0.05].●CONCLUSION:The combination of NNE and 3DPT can shorten the recovery time of diplopia and eye movement disorder in patients with OBF.

Influence of masticatory fatigue on the fracture resistance of the pulpless teeth restored with quartz-fiber post-core and crown

To investigate whether masticatory fatigue affects the fracture resistance and pattern of lower premolars restored with quartz-fiber post-core and full crown, 44 single rooted lower premolars recently extracted from orthodontic patients were divided into two groups of 22 each. The crowns of all teeth were removed and endodontically treated and then restored with quartz-fiber post-core and full crown. Twenty-two teeth in one group were selected randomly and circularly loaded at 45° to the long axis of the teeth of 127.4 N at a 6 Hz frequency, and the other group was not delivered to cyclic loading and considered as control. Subsequently, all teeth in two groups were continually loaded to fail at 45° to the long axis of the teeth at a crosshead speed of 1 mm.min-1. The mean destructive force values were （733.88±254.99） and （869.14±280.26） N for the experimental and the control group, respectively, and no statistically significant differences were found between two groups （P〉O.05）. Bevel fracture and horizontal fracture in the neck of root were the major fracture mode of the specimens. Under the circumstances of this study, it seems that cyclic loading does not affect the fracture strength and pattern of the quartz-fiber post-core-crown complex.

Fracture of two three-dimensional parallel internal cracks in brittle solid under ultrasonic fracturing

Similar to hydraulic fracturing(HF), the coalescence and fracture of cracks are induced within a rock under the action of an ultrasonic field, known as ultrasonic fracturing(UF). Investigating UF is important in both hard rock drilling and oil and gas recovery. A three-dimensional internal laser-engraved crack(3D-ILC) method was introduced to prefabricate two parallel internal cracks within the samples without any damage to the surface. The samples were subjected to UF. The mechanism of UF was elucidated by analyzing the characteristics of fracture surfaces. The crack propagation path under different ultrasonic parameters was obtained by numerical simulation based on the Paris fatigue model and compared to the experimental results of UF. The results show that the 3D-ILC method is a powerful tool for UF research.Under the action of an ultrasonic field, the fracture surface shows the characteristics of beach marks and contains powder locally, indicating that the UF mechanism includes high-cycle fatigue fracture, shear and friction, and temperature load. The two internal cracks become close under UF. The numerical result obtained by the Paris fatigue model also shows the attraction of the two cracks, consistent with the test results. The 3D-ILC method provides a new tool for the experimental study of UF. Compared to the conventional numerical methods based on the analysis of stress-strain and plastic zone, numerical simulation can be a good alternative method to obtain the crack path under UF.

Method to calculate fatigue fracture life of control fissure in perilous rock

Rupture and safety of perilous rock are dominated by control fissure behind perilous rock block. Based on model-Ⅰ and model-Ⅱ stress strength factors of control fissure under acting of weight of perilous rock, water pressure in control fissure and earth- quake forces, method to calculate critical linking length of control fissure is established. Take water pressure in control fissure as a variable periodic load, and abide by P-M criterion, when control fissure is filled with water, establish the method to calculate fatigue fracture life of control fissure in critical status by contributing value of stress strength factor stemming from water pressure of control fissure in Paris＇s fatigue equation. Further, parameters （C and m） of sandstone with quartz and feldspar in the area of the Three Gorges Reservoir of China are obtained by fatigue fracture testing.

Fatigue Crack Growth Rate of Ti-6Al-4V Considering the Effects of Fracture Toughness and Crack Closure

Fatigue fracture is one of the main failure modes of Ti-6A1-4V alloy,fracture toughness and crack closure have strong effects on the fatigue crack growth（FCG）rate of Ti-6A1-4V alloy.The FCG rate of Ti-6A1-4V is investigated by using experimental and analytical methods.The effects of stress ratio,crack closure and fracture toughness on the FCG rate are studied and discussed.A modified prediction model of the FCG rate is proposed,and the relationship between the fracture toughness and the stress intensity factor（SIF）range is redefined by introducing a correcting coefficient.Notched plate fatigue tests（including the fracture toughness test and the FCG rate test）are conducted to investigate the influence of affecting factors on the FCG rate.Comparisons between the predicted results of the proposed model,the Paris model,the Walker model,the Sadananda model,and the experimental data show that the proposed model gives the best agreement with the test data particularly in the near-threshold region and the Paris region,and the corresponding calculated fatigue life is also accurate in the same regions.By considering the effects of fracture toughness and crack closure,the novel FCG rate prediction model not only improves the estimating accuracy,but also extends the adaptability of the FCG rate prediction model in engineering.

Three-dimensional(3D) Printing Technology Assisted by Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pubic Rami Fractures

The feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology cgmbined with minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of pubic rami fractures was explored.From August 2015 to October 2017,a series of 30 patients who underwent surgical stabilization of their anterior pelvic ring (all utilizing the 3D printing technology)by one surgeon at a single hospital were studied.The minimally invasive incisions were made through anterior inferior cilia spine and pubic nodule.Data collected included the operative duration,the blood loss,the damage of the important tissue,the biographic union and therecovery of the function after the operation.Measurements on inlet and outlet pelvic cardiograph were made immediately post-operation and at all follow-up clinic visits.The scores of reduction and function were measured during follow-up.Results showed that the wounds of 30 patients were healed in the first stage,and there was no injury of important structures such as blood vessels and nerves.According to the Matta criteria,excellent effectiveness was obtained in 22 cases and good in 8 cases.According to the functional evaluation criteria of Majeed,excellent effectiveness was obtained in 21 cases and good in 9 cases.It was suggested that the 3D printing technology assisted by minimally invasive surgery can better evaluate the pelvic fracture before operation,which was helpful in plate modeling, and can shorten surgery duration and reduce intraoperative blood loss and complications. The positioning accuracy was improved,and better surgical result was finally achieved.

Fatigue properties analysis of cracked rock based on fracture evolution process

Fracture evolution process (initiation, propagation and coalescence) of cracked rock was observed and the force- displacement curves of cracked rock were measured under uniaxial cyclic loading. The tested specimens made of sandstone-like modeling material contained three pre-existing intermittent cracks with different geometrical distributions. The experimental results indicate that the fatigue deformation limit corresponding to the maximal cyclic load is equal to that of post-peak locus of static complete force?displacement curve; the fatigue deformation process can be divided into three stages: initial deformation, constant deformation rate and accelerative deformation; the time of fracture initiation, propagation and coalescence corresponds to the change of irreversible deformation.

High-cycle fatigue and fracture behaviours of SLM AlSi10Mg alloy

The high-cycle fatigue and fracture behaviours of the selective laser melting(SLM)AlSi10Mg alloy were investigated.Flat specimens were designed directly in the shape required for the fatigue tests under pulsating loading in tension(R=0,R is the dynamic factor).The fatigue−life(S−N)curves were modelled with a conditional Weibull’s probability density function,where the real-valued genetic algorithm(GA)and the differential ant-stigmergy algorithm(DASA)were applied to estimating the needed Weibull’s parameters.The fractography of the fatigue specimens showed that the fatigue cracks initiated around the surface defects produced by SLM and then propagated in an unstable manner.However,the presence of large SLM defects mainly influenced the crack initiation period and did not have a strong influence on the crack propagation.The obtained experimental results present a basis for further investigation of the fatigue behaviour of advanced materials and structures(e.g.cellular metamaterials)fabricated by additive manufacturing(AM).Especially,in the case of two-dimensional cellular structures,the cross-section of cellular struts is usually rectangular which corresponds to the specimen shape considered in this work.

Overall Evaluation of the Effect of Residual Stress Induced by Shot Peening in the Improvement of Fatigue Fracture Resistance for Metallic Materials

Before 1980s,the circular suspension spring in automobile subjected to torsion fatigue load,under the cyclic normal tensile stresses,the majority of fatigue fracture occurred was in normal tensile fracture mode（NTFM）and the fracture surface was under 45°diagonal.Because there exists the interaction between the residual stresses induced by shot peening and the applied cyclic normal tensile stresses in NTFM,which represents as＂stress strengthening mechanism＂,shot peening technology could be used for improving the fatigue fracture resistance（FFR）of springs.However,since 1990s up to date,in addition to regular NTFM,the fatigue fractures occurred of peened springs from time to time are in longitudinal shear fracture mode（LSFM）or transverse shear fracture mode（TSFM）with the increase of applied cyclic shear stresses,which leads to a remarkable decrease of FFR.However,LSFM/TSFM can be avoided effectively by means of shot peening treatment again on the peened springs.The phenomena have been rarely happened before.At present there are few literatures concerning this problem.Based upon the results of force analysis of a spring,there is no interaction between the residual stresses by shot peening and the applied cyclic shear stresses in shear fracture.This;means that the effect of＂stress strengthening mechanism＂for improving the FFR of LSFM/TSFM is disappeared basically.During shot peening,however,both of residual stress and cyclic plastic deformed microstructure are induced synchronously like＂twins＂in the surface layer of a spring.It has been found for the first time by means of force analysis and experimental results that the modified microstructure in the＂twins＂as a＂structure strengthening mechanism＂can improve the FFR of LSFM/TSFM.At the same time,it is;also shown that the optimum technology of shot peening strengthening must have both＂stress strengthening mechanism＂and＂structure strengthening mechanism＂simultaneously so that the FFR of both NTFM and LSFM/TSFM can be improved by shot peening.

Combine S-N curve and fracture mechanics for fatigue life analysis of welded structures

Based on the evolution of fatigue cracks in welded structures,the fatigue life of welded structures was defined as the sum of the crack initiation life Ni and the crack propagation life Np.Correspondingly,a fatigue-life analysis method combining S-N curves and fracture mechanics theory was proposed.The equivalent structural stress method and the lower 99%boundary of the master S-N curve were used to evaluate Ni,and cracks at the end of the initiation stage were considered as semi-elliptical surface cracks.Moreover,Paris equation and the stress intensity factor range of the cracks were used to evaluate Np.Furthermore,the fatigue test results obtained from the running girder of cranes were used as a reference for comparison and verification of the results.The results revealed that the equivalent structural stress is a good indicator for the crack initiation behavior of complex welded structures.In addition,the predicted fatigue life corresponded closely to the testing life.

Effects of Microstructure on the Tensile, Fracture Toughness and Fatigue Behaviour of Gamma Titanium Aluminides

The effects of microstructure on the deformation and fracture behaviour of two-phase TiAl alloys were investjgated under monotonic and cyclical loading conditions, over a range of temperatu res.The tensile behaviour is analyzed for deformation temperatures between RT and 950℃, Fracture resistance behaviour and toughening mechanisms at RT and 800℃ are analyzed. and the inverse relationship botween ductility and toughness is explained using the crack initiation toughness. The preliminary results of load-controlled fatigue behaviour at 800℃ are interpreted using the tensile behaviour because deformation structure and fracture modes are similar under these two loading conditions

INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON FATIGUE CREEP INTERACTION FRACTURE MAP

The relative ratio of fatigue resistance to creep resistance of materials varies with test temper- ature.As the temperature decreases,the creep resistance,since it is a thermal activation pro- cess,becomes relatively larger than fatigue resistance.Therefore the fatigue damage becomes predominant,and results in expansion of fatigue fracture region(region F),and shrinkage even complete elimination of creep fracture region(region C).A materials parameter Ω can be defined to estimate the temperature at which the creep fracture region is completely de- pressed.This phenomenon could be understood on the basis of the integrated model of compet- itive and cumulative models of fatigue creep interaction.

INVESTIGATION OF FRACTURE DESIGN FOR MEDIUM CARBON STEEL UNDER EXTRA-LOW CYCLIC FATIGUE IN AXIAL LOADING

The extra-low cyclic fracture problem of medium carbon steel under axial fatigue loading was investigated. Several problems, such as the relations of the cycle times to the depth and tip radius of the notch, loading frequency, loading range and the parameters of fracture design for medium carbon steel on condition of extra-low axial fatigue loading were discussed based on the experiments. Experimental results indicated that the tension-pressure fatigue loading mode was suitable for extra-low cyclic fatigue fracture design of medium carbon steel and it resulted in low energy consumption, fracture surface with high quality, low cycle times, and high efficiency. The appropriate parameters were as follows： loading frequency 3-5 Hz, notch tip radius r = （0.2-0.3） mm, opening angle α = 60°, and notch depth t = （0.14-0.17）D.

High-cycle Fatigue Fracture Behavior of Ultrahigh Strength Steels

The fatigue fracture behavior of four ultrahigh strength steels with different melting processes and therefore different inclusion sizes were studied by using a rotating bar two-point bending fatigue machine in the high-cycle regime up to 107 cycles of loading. The fracture surfaces were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy （FESEM）. It was found that the size of inclusion has significant effect on the fatigue behavior. For AtSI 4340 steel in which the inclusion size is smaller than 5.5 μm, all the fatigue cracks except one did not initiated from inclusion but from specimen surface and conventional S-N curve exists. For 65Si2MnWE and Aermet 100 steels in which the average inclusion sizes are 12.2 and 14.9 μm, respectively, fatigue cracks initiated from inclusions at lower stress amplitudes and stepwise S-N curves were observed. The S-N curve displays a continuous decline and fatigue failures originated from large oxide inclusion for 60Si2CrVA steel in which the average inclusion size is 44.4 pro. In the case of internal inclusion-induced fractures at cycles beyond about 1×10^6 for 65Si2MnWE and 60Si2CrVA steels, inclusion was always found inside the fish-eye and a granular bright facet （GBF） was observed in the vicinity around the inclusion. The GBF sizes increase with increasing the number of cycles to failure Nf in the long-life regime. The values of stress intensity factor range at crack initiation site for the GBF are almost constant with Nf, and are almost equal to that for the surface inclusion and the internal inclusion at cycles lower than about 1×10^6. Neither fish-eye nor GBF was observed for Aermet 100 steel in the present study.