A modified failure criterion for transversely isotropic rocks

A modified failure criterion is proposed to determine the strength of transversely isotropic rocks. Me-chanical properties of some metamorphic and sedimentary rocks including gneiss, slate, marble, schist, shale, sandstone and limestone, which show transversely isotropic behavior, were taken into consider-ation. Afterward, introduced triaxial rock strength criterion was modified for transversely isotropic rocks. Through modification process an index was obtained that can be considered as a strength reduction parameter due to rock strength anisotropy. Comparison of the parameter with previous anisotropy in-dexes in literature showed reasonable results for the studied rock samples. The modified criterion was compared to modified Hoek-Brown and Ramamurthy criteria for different transversely isotropic rocks. It can be concluded that the modified failure criterion proposed in this study can be used for predicting the strength of transversely isotropic rocks.

Finite element analysis for wellbore stability of transversely isotropic rock with hydraulic-mechanical-damage coupling

The finite element analysis （FEA） technology by hydraulic-mechanical-damage （HMD） coupling is proposed in this paper for wellbore stability analysis of transversely isotropic rock, developed basing on the recently established FEA technology for iso- tropic rock. The finite element （FE） solutions of numerical wellbore model, damage tensor calculation and Pariseau strength criterion for transversely isotropic rock are developed for researching the wellbore failure characteristics and computing the collapse and fracture pressure of laminated rock as shale reservoirs. The classic Blot constitutive for rock as porous medium is introduced to establish a set of FE equations coupling with elastic solid deformation and seepage flow. To be in accord with the inclined wellbore situation, the coordinate transformation for global, wellbore, in-situ stress and transversely isotropic for- mation coordinate systems is established for describing the in-situ stress field and the results in laminated rock. To be in accord with the practical situation, a three-dimensional FIE model is developed, in which several other auxiliary technologies are com- prehensively utilized, e.g., the typical Weibull distribution function for heterogeneous material description and adaptive tech- nology for mesh refinement. The damage tensor calculation technology for transversely isotropic rock are realized from the well-developed continuum damage variable of isotropic rock. The rock is subsequently developed into a novel conceptual and practical model considering the stress and permeability with the damage. The proposed method utilizing Parisean strength cri- terion fully reflects the strength parameters parallel or perpendicular to bedding of the transversely isotropic rock. To this end, an effective and reliable numerically three-step FEA strategy is well established. Numerical examples are given to show that the proposed method can establish efficient and applicable FE model and be suitable for analyzing the state of pore pressure and stress surrounding wellbore, furthermore to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the instability analysis of wellbore failure region and the safe mud weight computation for collapse and fracture pressure of transversely isotropic rock.

Finite element analysis for inclined wellbore stability of transversely iso-tropic rock with HMCD coupling based on weak plane strength criterion

The finite element analysis(FEA) technology by hydraulic-mechanical-chemical-damage(HMCD) coupling is proposed in this paper for inclined wellbore stability analysis of water-sensitive and laminated rock, developed basing on the recently established FEA technology for transversely isotropic rock with hydraulic-mechanical-damage(HMD) coupling. The chemical activity of the drilling fluid is considered as phenomenological hydration behavior, the moisture content and parameters of rock considering hydration could be determined with time. The finite element(FE) solutions of numerical wellbore model considering the chemical activity of drilling fluid, damage tensor calculation and weak plane strength criterion for transversely isotropic rock are developed for researching the wellbore failure characteristics and computing the time-dependent collapse and fracture pressure of laminated rock as shale reservoirs. A three-dimensional FE model and elastic solid deformation and seepage flow coupled equations are developed, and the damage tensor calculation technology for transversely isotropic rock are realized by introducing effect of the hydration and the stress state under the current load. The proposed method utilizing weak plane strength criterion fully reflects the strength parameters in rock matrix and weak plane. To the end, an effective and reliable numerically three-step FEA strategy is well established for wellbore stability analysis. Numerical examples are given to show that the proposed method can establish efficient and applicable FE model and be suitable for analyzing the timedependsolutions of pore pressure and stresses, and the evolution region considering the hydration surrounding wellbore,furthermore to compute the collapse cycling time and the safe mud weight for collapse and fracture pressure of transversely isotropic rock.