Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Failure Behavior of Fluid-Saturated Hot Dry Rocks

Thousands of cubic meters of fluid are continuously injected for a long term to create complex fracture patterns in hydraulic fracturing of hot dry rocks. However, the physics and mechanics behind the interaction of fluid-rock are not fully understood at present. To reveal the related damage mechanisms of saturated rock samples such as damage initiation and evolution at various alternative stress levels, a series of in-house laboratory tests were performed on a TAW-series triaxial rock mechanics testing system, combined with ultrasound measurement and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring. After saturation with nano-emulsion and distilled water, ultrasound velocity of longitudinal wave was increased by 40%. Saturation weakens these mechanical parameters such as the crack damage stress ratio, fracture toughness and cohesive strength under different stress conditions. Fluid-saturated rock sample has higher AE hit rate than dry rock sample. Meanwhile, many step-like jumps appeared on the curve of cumulative AE events. Failure envelop,b-value and frequency spectrum were analyzed out to compare the mechanical difference between fluid-saturated and dry rock samples. The experimental results demonstrate that the saturation increased the pore pressure in rocks and further promoted crack propagation in hydraulic fracturing. Moreover, nano-emulsion liquid is more advantageous than distilled water for enhancing fracture complexity. This investigation provides for better understanding of the mechanisms of complex fracture formation in deep geothermal reservoirs.