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Dynamics of fluid-driven fractures across material heterogeneities
Sri Savya Tanikella1, Marie C Sigallon1,2, Emilie Dressaire1
1University of California, Santa Barbara, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
Physical Review. E
|March 19, 2025
Summary
Fluid-driven fractures behave differently in layered materials. Fracture propagation depends on the stiffness contrast between layers, impacting fluid flow and geometry, with implications for underground storage.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Fracture propagation is sensitive to material properties and heterogeneities.
- Microscale and macroscale features influence fracture instabilities and stress fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate fluid-driven fracture propagation in multilayered hydrogel materials.
- To analyze how layer properties and toughness contrast affect fracture dynamics and geometry.
Main Methods:
- Injection of low-viscosity fluid into a two-layer hydrogel block.
- Experimental observation and analysis of fracture profiles and propagation.
- Modeling the coupling between elastic deformation, toughness, and volume conservation.
Main Results:
- Fractures initiated in softer layers are confined and do not penetrate stiffer layers.
- Fractures in stiffer layers show rapid fluid transfer into softer layers at the interface.
- Propagation dynamics are controlled by toughness contrast, driving fluid flow.
- Scaling arguments capture fracture geometry dependence on material properties, injection, and time.
Conclusions:
- Stiffness contrast significantly modifies fracture propagation over large length scales.
- Macroscopic heterogeneities are crucial for understanding fracture dynamics.
- Findings are relevant for subsurface energy storage (e.g., CO2, heat) in stratified formations.
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