Analysis on method for effective in-situ stress measurement in hot dry rock reservoir

With the rapid increase of energy demand and the increasingly highlighted environmental problems, clean, safe and widely distributed geothermal resources have become a hot spot for renewable resources development. The state of in-situ stress is a major control parameter for multiple links including well location, fracture inspiration and reservoir assessment, so how to determine the accurate state of in-situ stress in the deep thermal reservoir becomes a core problem drawing widely attention and urgent to be solved. Based on features of hot dry rock reservoir in terms of temperature and pressure and the comparison analysis, this article proposes the method of Anelastic Strain Recovery(ASR) as an effective method for determining the state of in-situ stress in the area with HDR resources distributed and explains the availability of ASR method by application examples.

Support design method for deep soft-rock tunnels in non-hydrostatic high in-situ stress field

Due to the long-term plate tectonic movements in southwestern China,the in-situ stress field in deep formations is complex.When passing through deep soft-rock mass under non-hydrostatic high in-situ stress field,tunnels will suffer serious asymmetric deformation.There is no available support design method for tunnels under such a situation in existing studies to clarify the support time and support stiffness.This study first analyzed the mechanical behavior of tunnels in non-hydrostatic in-situ stress field and derived the theoretical equations of the ground squeezing curve(GSC)and ground loosening curve(GLC).Then,based on the convergence confinement theory,the support design method of deep soft-rock tunnels under non-hydrostatic high in-situ stress field was established considering both squeezing and loosening pressures.In addition,this method can provide the clear support time and support stiffness of the second layer of initial support.The proposed design method was applied to the Wanhe tunnel of the China-Laos railway in China.Monitoring data indicated that the optimal support scheme had a good effect on controlling the tunnel deformation in non-hydrostatic high in-situ stress field.Field applications showed that the secondary lining could be constructed properly.

Preliminary Results of In-situ Stress Measurements along the Longmenshan Fault Zone after the Wenchuan M_s 8.0 Earthquake

Four months after the Wenchuan Ms 8 earthquake in western Sichuan, China, in situ stress measurements were carried out along the Longmenshan fault zone with the purpose of obtaining stress parameters for earthquake hazard assessment. In-situ stresses were measured in three new boreholes by using overcoring with the piezomagnetic stress gauges for shallow depths and hydraulic fracturing for lower depths. The maximum horizontal stress in shallow depths （-20 m） is about 4.3 MPa, oriented N19°E, in the epicenter area at Yingxiu Town, about 9.7 MPa, oriented N51°W, at Baoxing County in the southwestern Longmenshan range, and about 2.6 MPa, oriented N39°E, near Kangding in the southernmost zone of the Longmenshan range. Hydraulic fracturing at borehole depths from 100 to 400 m shows a tendency towards increasing stress with depth. A comparison with the results measured before the Wenchuan earthquake along the Longmenshan zone and in the Tibetan Plateau demonstrates that the stress level remains relatively high in the southwestern segment of the Longmenshan range, and is still moderate in the epicenter zone. These results provide a key appraisal for future assessment of earthquake hazards of the Longmenshan fault zone and the aftershock occurrences of the Wenchuan earthquake.

Stress initialization methods for dynamic numerical simulation of rock mass with high in-situ stress

In the context of deep rock engineering,the in-situ stress state is of major importance as it plays an important role in rock dynamic response behavior.Thus,stress initialization becomes crucial and is the first step for the dynamic response simulation of rock mass in a high in-situ stress field.In this paper,stress initialization methods,including their principles and operating procedures for reproducing steady in-situ stress state in LS-DYNA,are first introduced.Then the most popular four methods,i.e.,explicit dynamic relaxation(DR)method,implicit-explicit sequence method,Dynain file method and quasi-static method,are exemplified through a case analysis by using the RHT and plastic hardening rock material models to simulate rock blasting under in-situ stress condition.Based on the simulations,it is concluded that the stress initialization results obtained by implicit-explicit sequence method and dynain file method are closely related to the rock material model,and the explicit DR method has an obvious advantage in solution time when compared to other methods.Besides that,it is recommended to adopt two separate analyses for the whole numerical simulation of rock mass under the combined action of in-situ stress and dynamic disturbance.

Advance of in-situ stress measurement in China

In-situ stress is an essential parameter for design and construction of most engineering projects that involve excavation in rocks. Progress in in-situ stress measurement from the 1950s in China is briefly introduced. Stress relief by overcoring technique and hydraulic fracturing： technique are the two main techniques for in-situ stress measurement in China at present. To make them suitable for application at great depth and to increase their measuring reliability and accuracy, a series of techniques have been developed. Applications and achievements of in-situ stress measurement in Chinese rock engineering, including mining, geotechnical and hydropower engineering, and earthquake prediction, are introduced. Suggestions for further development of in-situ stress measurement are also proposed.

MODIFIED LAYER REMOVAL METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF RESIDUAL STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN THICK PRE-STRETCHED ALUMINUM PLATE

The integrated structure parts are widely used in aircraft. The distortion caused by residual stresses in thick pre-stretched aluminum plates during machining integrated parts is a common and serious problem. To predict and control the machining distortion, the residual stress distribution in the thick plate must be measured firstly. The modified removal method for measuring residual stress in thick pre-stretched aluminum plates is proposed and the stress-strain relation matrix is deduced by elasticity theory. The residual stress distribution in specimen of 7050T7451 plate is measured by using the method, and measurement results are analyzed and compared with data obtained by other methods. The method is effective to measure the residual stress.

New development of hydraulic fracturing technique for in-situ stress measurement at great depth of mines

In-situ stress measurement using the hydraulic fracturing technique was made at Wanfu Coal Mine in Shandong Province, China. To solve problems caused by great measuring depth and extra thick overburden soil layers in the mine, a series of improved techniques were developed for the traditional hydraulic fracturing technique and equipment to increase their pressure-enduring ability and to ensure safe and flexible removal of the sealing packers with other experimental apparatus. Successful in-situ stress measurement at 37 points within 7 boreholes, which were mostly over 1000 m deep, was completed. Through the measurement, detailed information of in-situ stress state has been provided for mining design of the mine. The improved hydraulic fracturing technique and equipment also provide reliable tools for in-situ stress measurement at great depth of other mines.

Techniques for in-situ stress measurement at great depth

Reliable information of in--situ stress state is necessary for the design andconstruction of most important rock projects. As most rock projects are getting deeper and deeper,traditional techniques of in--situ stress measurement are not very suitable. The current techniquesof in--situ stress measurement and their insufficiency for use at great depth are analyzed. Somebasic ideas of the development of new techniques and the improvement of current techniques for useat great depth are provided.

Reliability analysis of in-situ stress measurement using circumferential velocity anisotropy

In-situ stress measurement for deep reservoir formation is difficult in terms of security, reliability and technique. Acoustic velocity anisotropy test is a basic method for stress measurement of rock cores, which is based on the distribution of acoustic velocity in different directions around rock cores. The heterogeneity of core samples, such as fractures and gravel contained, can also lead to wave velocity anisotropy. Therefore, the corresponding reliability evaluation method is established to exclude some other anisotropy factors caused by non-tectonic stresses. In this paper, the reliability of testing results is evaluated from three aspects, i.e. phase difference, anisotropy index and waveform, to remove the factors caused by non-tectonic stresses.

Analytical investigation for stress measurement with the rheological stress recovery method in deep soft rock

Due to the difficulty and weakness of current stress measurement methods in deep soft rock, a new rheological stress recovery method of the determination of the three-dimensional(3D) stress tensor is proposed. It is supposed that rock stresses will recovery gradually with time and can be measured by embedding transducers into the borehole. In order to explore the applicability and accuracy of this method, analytical solutions are developed for stress measurement with the rheological stress recovery method in a viscoelastic surrounding rock, the rheological properties of which are depicted as both the Burger's model and a 3-parameter solid model. In such conditions, explicit analytical expressions for predicting time-dependent pressures on the transducer are derived. A parametric analysis is then adopted to investigate the influences of the grout solidification time and the mechanical properties of the grout layer. The results indicate that this method is suitable for stress measurement in deep soft rock, the characteristics of which are soft, fractured and subjected to high geo-stress.

A review of welding residual stress test methods

Due to local uneven heating during the welding process,the residual stress of the structure after welding affects the reliability of it.In order to ensure the reliability,it is of great significance to test the residual stress distribution of the welded joint.It has always been the focus to find a simple and feasible method for residual stress testing to quickly and accurately obtain the residual stress distribution of welded joints.The mechanical measurement method has high measurement accuracy,convenient and easy operation,but it will cause certain damage to the components.Physical measurement method can avoid damage to components,but its test cost is usually high,and its measurement accuracy can also be affected by the material microstructure characteristics of welded components.Based on the advantages and disadvantages of these two residual stress test methods,a modal test method is proposed.This method is a non-destructive measurement method.Based on the mathematical relationship between the residual stress of the welded structure and the natural frequency(mathematical model),the natural frequency is measured through the modal test to calculate the residual stress quickly.However,it is difficult to establish a mathematical model with this method,and it is not suitable for realization.

Design of Measuring Instrument with Whole Direct Method for Bed Shear Stress Under Two-Dimensional Water-Flow Co-action

The present study aims at the design and making of measuring instrument of whole direct method for bed shear stress under two-dimensional water-flow co-action. The instrument combines the traditional strain gauge with a precise pressure gauge, and adopts the method directly measuring the difference between the lateral hydrodynamic pressure and different head pressures on both sides of the force plate. As a result, such an instrument solves a technical puzzle of the past strain gauge, i.e. the difficulty to set apart shear stress and lateral force. Static force test and sink test both prove that the instrument is precise, stable and applicable to the measurement of rough beds with different shear stresses.

MEASUREMENT OF INTERNAL STRESSES OF METAL MULTILAYER COMPOSITE COATINGS

The principle, formula and determination of internal stresses of metal multilayer composite coatings by means of the bending strip method were studied. Using this method, internal stresses of ion-plated metal multilayer composite coatings and thick monolayer coating of aluminium bronze, stainless steel and nickel-iron alloy were determined. The reason of decrement in internal stresses of multilayer composite coatings was discussed.

Laboratory and field experiment on measurement of soil thermal conductivity by probe method

The authors presented a new measuring method of the soil thermal conductivity,the probe method,which is designed and made based on the theory of line heat source. This method is used to measure thermal conductivity of coarse sand,fine sand and silty clay in different water contents. The results that measured by the probe method are well consistent with those of QTM-D_2. The soil thermal conductivity increases in different levels with the increase of the water content. Compared the soil thermal conductivity measured by the probe method in laboratory with in-situ experiment,it shows that the measuring gap gradually increases with the increase of the depth. The reason is that the in-situ measuring thermal conductivity can reflect the actual situation of the soil mass.

Analysis of the Wenchuan Ms8.0 Earthquake's Co-seismic Stress and Displacement Change by Using the Finite Element Method

The variation of in situ stress before and after earthquakes is an issue studied by geologists. In this paper, on the basis of the fault slip dislocation model of Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake, the changes of co-seismic displacement and the distribution functions of stress tensor around the Longmen Shan fault zone are calculated. The results show that the co-seismic maximum surface displacement is 4.9 m in the horizontal direction and 6.5 m in the vertical direction, which is almost consistent with the on-site survey and GPS observations. The co-seismic maximum horizontal stress in the hanging wall and footwall decreased sharply as the distance from the Longmen Shan fault zone increased. However, the vertical stress and minimum horizontal stress increased in the footwall and in some areas of the hanging wall. The study of the co-seismic displacement and stress was mainly focused on the long and narrow region along the Longmen Shan fault zone, which coincides with the distribution of the earthquake aftershocks. Therefore, the co-seismic stress only affects the aftershocks, and does not affect distant faults and seismic activities. The results are almost consistent with in situ stress measurements at the two sites before and after Wenchuan Ms8.0 earthquake. Along the fault plane, the co-seismic shear stress in the dip direction is larger than that in the strike direction, which indicates that the faulting mechanism of the Longmen Shan fault zone is a dominant thrust with minor strike-slipping. The results can be used as a reference value for future studies of earthquake mechanisms.

DDM regression analysis of the in-situ stress field in a non-linear fault zone

A multivariable regression analysis of the in-situ stress field, which considers the non-linear deformation behavior of faults in practical projects, is presented based on a newly developed three-dimensional displacement discontinuity method （DDM） program. The Bar- ton-Bandis model and the Kulhaway model are adopted as the normal and the tangential deformation model of faults, respectively, where the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is satisfied. In practical projects, the values of the mechanical parameters of rock and faults are restricted in a bounded range for in-situ test, and the optimal mechanical parameters are obtained from this range by a loop. Comparing with the traditional finite element method （FEM）, the DDM regression results are more accurate.

TECHNOLOGY OF QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS ON VIBRATORY STRESS RELIEF BASED ON ULTRASONIC TIME-OF-ARRIVAL METHOD

The effect of vibratory stress relief （VSR） is usually evaluated with the indirect method of observing the change of amplitude frequency response characteristics of structures. A new kind of evaluating method of VSR based on the ultrasonic time-of-arrival method （UTM）, which can obtain the residual stress directly through measuring the propagation time of ultrasonic wave in the material, is presented. At first, the principle of the measuring method of residual stress based on UTM is analyzed. Then the measuring system of the method is described, which is in virtue of ultrasonic flaw detector and high-sampling-rate digital oscillograph. And a set of calibration system that contains a piece of standard specimen is also introduced. Experimental results prove the relation between the residual stress and the propagation time of ultrasonic in workpieces. Finally, the measuring and calibration systems are applied in evaluating the effect of VSR. The final test results show that the method is effective.

Three-Dimensional Thermo-Elastic-Plastic Finite Element Method Modeling for Predicting Weld-Induced Residual Stresses and Distortions in Steel Stiffened-Plate Structures

The objective of the present paper is to develop nonlinear finite element method models for predicting the weld-induced initial deflection and residual stress of plating in steel stiffened-plate structures. For this purpose, three-dimensional thermo-elastic-plastic finite element method computations are performed with varying plate thickness and weld bead length (leg length) in welded plate panels, the latter being associated with weld heat input. The finite element models are verified by a comparison with experimental database which was obtained by the authors in separate studies with full scale measurements. It is concluded that the nonlinear finite element method models developed in the present paper are very accurate in terms of predicting the weld-induced initial imperfections of steel stiffened plate structures. Details of the numerical computations together with test database are documented.

The mechanical measuring method of welding heat source efficiency

Based on the principle of residual deformation induced by superposition of the welding residual stress and working stress, the welding heat source efficiency has been determined by measuring displacement changes of specimens under loading and unloading in tensile tests, and combining with calculating welding parameters. Meanwhile, the welding heat source eficiencies obtained are compared with those of the measuring-calculating method. The research results show that the welding heat source efficiencies are almost the same as those obtained by the measuring-calculating method. Therefore, the welding heat source efficiency can be determined accurately by this method, and a new determining method of the heat source efficiency for the welding heat process calculating has been provided.

In-situ stress of coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area of the southern Qinshui Basin and its effects on coalbed methane development

In-situ stress is a critical factor influencing the permeability of coal reservoirs and the production capacity of coalbed methane(CBM)wells.Accurate prediction of in-situ stress and investigation of its influence on coal reservoir permeability and production capacity are significant for CBM development.This study investigated the CBM development zone in the Zhengzhuang area of the Qinshui Basin.According to the low mechanical strength of coal reservoirs,this study derived a calculation model of the in-situ stress of coal reservoirs based on the multi-loop hydraulic fracturing method and analyzed the impacts of initial fractures on the calculated results.Moreover,by combining the data such as the in-situ stress,permeability,and drainage and recovery data of CBM wells,this study revealed the spatial distribution patterns of the current in-situ stress of the coal reservoirs and discussed the impacts of the insitu stress on the permeability and production capacity.The results are as follows.(1)Under given fracturing pressure,longer initial fractures are associated with higher calculated maximum horizontal principal stress values.Therefore,ignoring the effects of the initial fractures will cause the calculated values of the in-situ stress to be less than the actual values.(2)As the burial depth increases,the fracturing pressure,closure pressure,and the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress of the coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area constantly increase.The average gradients of the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress are 3.17 MPa/100 m and 2.05 MPa/100 m,respectively.(3)Coal reservoir permeability is significantly controlled by the magnitude and state of the current in-situ stress.The coal reservoir permeability decreases exponentially with an increase in the effective principal stress.Moreover,a low lateral pressure coefficient(less than 1)is associated with minor horizontal compressive effects and high coal reservoir permeability.(4)Under similar conditions,such as resource endowments,CBM well capacity is higher in primary structural coal regions with moderate paleotectonic stress modification,low current in-situ stress,and lateral pressure coefficient of less than 1.