Slope stability of bioreactor landfills during leachate injection: effects of heterogeneous and anisotropic municipal solid waste conditions.

PubMed

Giri, Rajiv K; Reddy, Krishna R

2014-03-01

In bioreactor landfills, leachate recirculation can significantly affect the stability of landfill slope due to generation and distribution of excessive pore fluid pressures near side slope. The current design and operation of leachate recirculation systems do not consider the effects of heterogeneous and anisotropic nature of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the increased pore gas pressures in landfilled waste caused due to leachate recirculation on the physical stability of landfill slope. In this study, a numerical two-phase flow model (landfill leachate and gas as immiscible phases) was used to investigate the effects of heterogeneous and anisotropic nature of MSW on moisture distribution and pore-water and capillary pressures and their resulting impacts on the stability of a simplified bioreactor landfill during leachate recirculation using horizontal trench system. The unsaturated hydraulic properties of MSW were considered based on the van Genuchten model. The strength reduction technique was used for slope stability analyses as it takes into account of the transient and spatially varying pore-water and gas pressures. It was concluded that heterogeneous and anisotropic MSW with varied unit weight and saturated hydraulic conductivity significantly influenced the moisture distribution and generation and distribution of pore fluid pressures in landfill and considerably reduced the stability of bioreactor landfill slope. It is recommended that heterogeneous and anisotropic MSW must be considered as it provides a more reliable approach for the design and leachate operations in bioreactor landfills.

Increased likelihood of induced seismicity in highly overpressured shale formations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eaton, David W.; Schultz, Ryan

2018-05-01

Fluid-injection processes such as disposal of saltwater or hydraulic fracturing can induce earthquakes by increasing pore pressure and/or shear stress on faults. Natural processes, including transformation of organic material (kerogen) into hydrocarbon and cracking to produce gas, can similarly cause fluid overpressure. Here we document two examples from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin where earthquakes induced by hydraulic fracturing are strongly clustered within areas characterized by pore-pressure gradient in excess of 15 kPa/m. Despite extensive hydraulic-fracturing activity associated with resource development, induced earthquakes are virtually absent in the Montney and Duvernay Formations elsewhere. Statistical analysis suggests a negligible probability that this spatial correlation developed by chance. This implies that, in addition to known factors such as anthropogenic pore-pressure increase and proximity to critically stressed faults, high in-situ overpressure of shale formations may also represent a controlling factor for inducing earthquakes by hydraulic fracturing. On a geological timescale, natural pore-pressure generation may lead to fault-slip episodes that regulate magnitude of formation-overpressure.

Tremor activity inhibited by well-drained conditions above a megathrust

PubMed Central

Nakajima, Junichi; Hasegawa, Akira

2016-01-01

Tremor occurs on megathrusts under conditions of near-lithostatic pore-fluid pressures and extremely weakened shear strengths. Although metamorphic reactions in the slab liberate large amounts of fluids, the mechanism for enhancing pore-fluid pressures along the megathrust to near-lithostatic values remains poorly understood. Here we show anti-correlation between low-frequency earthquake (LFE) activity and properties that are markers of the degree of metamorphism above the megathrust, whereby LFEs occur beneath the unmetamorphosed overlying plate but are rare or limited below portions that are metamorphosed. The extent of metamorphism in the overlying plate is likely controlled by along-strike contrasts in permeability. Undrained conditions are required for pore-fluid pressures to be enhanced to near-lithostatic values and for shear strength to reduce sufficiently for LFE generation, whereas well-drained conditions reduce pore-fluid pressures at the megathrust and LFEs no longer occur at the somewhat strengthened megathrust. Our observations suggest that undrained conditions are a key factor for the genesis of LFEs. PMID:27991588

CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR ORIGIN OF ABNORMALLY PRESSURED GAS ACCUMULATIONS IN LOW-PERMEABILITY RESERVOIRS.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Law, B.E.; Dickinson, W.W.

1985-01-01

The paper suggests that overpressured and underpressured gas accumulations of this type have a common origin. In basins containing overpressured gas accumulations, rates of thermogenic gas accumulation exceed gas loss, causing fluid (gas) pressure to rise above the regional hydrostatic pressure. Free water in the larger pores is forced out of the gas generation zone into overlying and updip, normally pressured, water-bearing rocks. While other diagenetic processes continue, a pore network with very low permeability develops. As a result, gas accumulates in these low-permeability reservoirs at rates higher than it is lost. In basins containing underpressured gas accumulations, rates of gas generation and accumulation are less than gas loss. The basin-center gas accumulation persists, but because of changes in the basin dynamics, the overpressured accumulation evolves into an underpressured system.

Pore-throat sizes in sandstones, siltstones, and shales: Reply

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nelson, Philip H.

2011-01-01

In his discussion of my article (Nelson, 2009), W. K. Camp takes issue with the concept that buoyancy is not the dominant force in forming and maintaining the distribution of gas in tight-gas accumulations (Camp, 2011). I will restrict my response to the issues he raised regarding buoyant versus nonbuoyant drive and to a few comments regarding water saturation and production. I claim that the pressure generated in petroleum source rocks (Pg), instead of the buoyancy pressure (Pb), provides the energy to charge most tight sandstones with gas. The arguments are fourfold: (1) buoyant columns of sufficient height seldom exist in low-permeability sand-shale sequences, (2) tight-gas systems display a pressure profile that declines instead of increases upward, (3) gas is pervasive in overpressured systems, and (4) source rocks can generate pore pressures sufficiently high to charge tight sandstones.

Osmotic generation of 'anomalous' fluid pressures in geological environments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neuzii, C.E.

2000-01-01

Osmotic pressures are generated by differences in chemical potential of a solution across a membrane. But whether osmosis can have a significant effect on the pressure of fluids in geological environments has been controversial, because the membrane properties of geological media are poorly understood. 'Anomalous' pressures - large departures from hydrostatic pressure that are not explicable in terms of topographic or fluid-density effects are widely found in geological settings, and are commonly considered to result from processes that alter the pore or fluid volume, which in turn implies crustal changes happening at a rate too slow to observe directly. Yet if osmosis can explain some anomalies, there is no need to invoke such dynamic geological processes in those cases. Here I report results of a nine- year in situ measurement of fluid pressures and solute concentrations in shale that are consistent with the generation of large (up to 20 MPa) osmotic-pressure anomalies which could persist for tens of millions of years. Osmotic pressures of this magnitude and duration can explain many of the pressure anomalies observed in geological settings. The require, however, small shale porosity and large contrasts in the amount of dissolved solids in the pore waters - criteria that may help to distinguish between osmotic and crystal-dynamic origins of anomalous pressures.

Semipermeability Evolution of Wakkanai Mudstones During Isotropic Compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeda, M.; Manaka, M.

2015-12-01

Precise identification of major processes that influence groundwater flow system is of fundamental importance for the performance assessment of waste disposal in subsurface. In the characterization of groundwater flow system, gravity- and pressure-driven flows have been conventionally assumed as dominant processes. However, recent studies have suggested that argillites can act as semipermeable membranes and they can cause chemically driven flow, i.e., chemical osmosis, under salinity gradients, which may generate erratic pore pressures in argillaceous formations. In order to identify the possibility that chemical osmosis is involved in erratic pore pressure generations in argillaceous formations, it is essential to measure the semipermeability of formation media; however, in the measurements of semipermeability, little consideration has been given to the stresses that the formation media would have experienced in past geologic processes. This study investigates the influence of stress history on the semipermeability of an argillite by an experimental approach. A series of chemical osmosis experiments were performed on Wakkanai mudstones to measure the evolution of semipermeability during loading and unloading confining pressure cycles. The osmotic efficiency, which represents the semipermeability, was estimated at each confining pressure. The results show that the osmotic efficiency increases almost linearly with increasing confining pressure; however, the increased osmotic efficiency does not recover during unloading unless the confining pressure is almost relieved. The observed unrecoverable change in osmotic efficiency may have an important implication on the evaluation of chemical osmosis in argillaceous formations that have been exposed to large stresses in past geologic processes. If the osmotic efficiency increased by the past stress can remain unchanged to date, the osmotic efficiency should be measured at the past highest stress rather than the current in-situ stress. Otherwise, the effect of chemical osmosis on the pore pressure generation would be underestimated.

Effect of Pore Pressure on Slip Failure of an Impermeable Fault: A Coupled Micro Hydro-Geomechanical Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Z.; Juanes, R.

2015-12-01

The geomechanical processes associated with subsurface fluid injection/extraction is of central importance for many industrial operations related to energy and water resources. However, the mechanisms controlling the stability and slip motion of a preexisting geologic fault remain poorly understood and are critical for the assessment of seismic risk. In this work, we develop a coupled hydro-geomechanical model to investigate the effect of fluid injection induced pressure perturbation on the slip behavior of a sealing fault. The model couples single-phase flow in the pores and mechanics of the solid phase. Granular packs (see example in Fig. 1a) are numerically generated where the grains can be either bonded or not, depending on the degree of cementation. A pore network is extracted for each granular pack with pore body volumes and pore throat conductivities calculated rigorously based on geometry of the local pore space. The pore fluid pressure is solved via an explicit scheme, taking into account the effect of deformation of the solid matrix. The mechanics part of the model is solved using the discrete element method (DEM). We first test the validity of the model with regard to the classical one-dimensional consolidation problem where an analytical solution exists. We then demonstrate the ability of the coupled model to reproduce rock deformation behavior measured in triaxial laboratory tests under the influence of pore pressure. We proceed to study the fault stability in presence of a pressure discontinuity across the impermeable fault which is implemented as a plane with its intersected pore throats being deactivated and thus obstructing fluid flow (Fig. 1b, c). We focus on the onset of shear failure along preexisting faults. We discuss the fault stability criterion in light of the numerical results obtained from the DEM simulations coupled with pore fluid flow. The implication on how should faults be treated in a large-scale continuum model is also presented.

Laboratory triggering of stick-slip events by oscillatory loading in the presence of pore fluid with implications for physics of tectonic tremor

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bartlow, Noel M.; Lockner, David A.; Beeler, Nicholas M.

2012-01-01

The physical mechanism by which the low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) that make up portions of tectonic (also called non-volcanic) tremor are created is poorly understood. In many areas of the world, tectonic tremor and LFEs appear to be strongly tidally modulated, whereas ordinary earthquakes are not. Anomalous seismic wave speeds, interpreted as high pore fluid pressure, have been observed in regions that generate tremor. Here we build upon previous laboratory studies that investigated the response of stick-slip on artificial faults to oscillatory, tide-like loading. These previous experiments were carried out using room-dry samples of Westerly granite, at one effective stress. Here we augment these results with new experiments on Westerly granite, with the addition of varying effective stress using pore fluid at two pressures. We find that raising pore pressure, thereby lowering effective stress can significantly increase the degree of correlation of stick-slip to oscillatory loading. We also find other pore fluid effects that become important at higher frequencies, when the period of oscillation is comparable to the diffusion time of pore fluid into the fault. These results help constrain the conditions at depth that give rise to tidally modulated LFEs, providing confirmation of the effective pressure law for triggering and insights into why tremor is tidally modulated while earthquakes are at best only weakly modulated.

Poroelastic stress-triggering of the 2005 M8.7 Nias earthquake by the 2004 M9.2 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hughes, K.L.H.; Masterlark, Timothy; Mooney, W.D.

2010-01-01

The M9.2 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake (SAE) occurred three months prior to the M8.7 Nias earthquake (NE). We propose that the NE was mechanically triggered by the SAE, and that poroelastic effects were a major component of this triggering. This study uses 3D finite element models (FEMs) of the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone (SASZ) to predict the deformation, stress, and pore pressure fields of the SAE. The coseismic slip distribution for the SAE is calibrated to near-field GPS data using FEM-generated Green's Functions and linear inverse methods. The calibrated FEM is then used to predict the postseismic poroelastic contribution to stress-triggering along the rupture surface of the NE, which is adjacent to the southern margin of the SAE. The coseismic deformation of the SAE, combined with the rheologic configuration of the SASZ produces two transient fluid flow regimes having separate time constants. SAE coseismic pore pressures in the relatively shallow forearc and volcanic arc regions (within a few km depth) dissipate within one month after the SAE. However, pore pressures in the oceanic crust of the down-going slab persist several months after the SAE. Predictions suggest that the SAE initially induced MPa-scale negative pore pressure near the hypocenter of the NE. This pore pressure slowly recovered (increased) during the three-month interval separating the SAE and NE due to lateral migration of pore fluids, driven by coseismic pressure gradients, within the subducting oceanic crust. Because pore pressure is a fundamental component of Coulomb stress, the MPa-scale increase in pore pressure significantly decreased stability of the NE fault during the three-month interval after the SAE and prior to rupture of the NE. A complete analysis of stress-triggering due to the SAE must include a poroelastic component. Failure to include poroelastic mechanics will lead to an incomplete model that cannot account for the time interval between the SAE and NE. Our transient poroelastic model explains both the spatial and temporal characteristics of triggering of the NE by the SAE. ?? 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Mechanics of dual-mode dilative failure in subaqueous sediment deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Yao; Flemings, Peter; Mohrig, David

2014-07-01

We introduce dual-mode dilative failure with flume experiments. Dual-mode dilative failure combines slow and steady release of sediments by breaching with periodic sliding, which rapidly releases an internally coherent wedge of sediments. It occurs in dilative sandy deposits. This periodic slope failure results from cyclic evolution of the excess pore pressure in the deposit. Sliding generates large, transient, negative excess pore pressure that strengthens the deposit and allows breaching to occur. During breaching, negative excess pore pressure dissipates, the deposit weakens, and ultimately sliding occurs once again. We show that the sliding frequency is proportional to the coefficient of consolidation. We find that thicker deposits are more susceptible to dual-mode dilative failure. Discovery of dual-mode dilative failure provides a new mechanism to consider when interpreting the sedimentary deposits linked to submarine slope failures.

Dependence of CO2 Reactivity of Carbon Anodes on Pore Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tong; Xue, Jilai; Lang, Guanghui; Liu, Rui; Gao, Shoulei; Wang, Zengjie

2017-09-01

The correlation between the CO2 reactivity and pore structure of carbon anodes was experimentally investigated. The pore structures of the anodes before and after CO2 oxidation were characterized using image analysis. The porosity, mean pore diameter, and the number of micro-cracks decreased with increasing anode forming pressure, while they increased with over-compaction. With prolonged CO2 oxidation time, the porosity, pore density, mean pore diameter, pore aspect ratio, and the number of micro-cracks increased due to the merging of small pores, increased pore connectivity, and generation of new pores. The activation energy decreased with increasing porosity of the anodes' pitch phase due to easier CO2 penetration and reaction within the anodes. The results confirm that the fine pitch-coke phase of anodes is preferentially consumed, a cause of carbon dusting. Optimization of the pore structures to balance the pitch, coke, and butt phases may potentially further reduce carbon dusting.

Nanometer-Scale Pore Characteristics of Lacustrine Shale, Songliao Basin, NE China

PubMed Central

Wang, Min; Yang, Jinxiu; Wang, Zhiwei; Lu, Shuangfang

2015-01-01

In shale, liquid hydrocarbons are accumulated mainly in nanometer-scale pores or fractures, so the pore types and PSDs (pore size distributions) play a major role in the shale oil occurrence (free or absorbed state), amount of oil, and flow features. The pore types and PSDs of marine shale have been well studied; however, research on lacustrine shale is rare, especially for shale in the oil generation window, although lacustrine shale is deposited widely around the world. To investigate the relationship between nanometer-scale pores and oil occurrence in the lacustrine shale, 10 lacustrine shale core samples from Songliao Basin, NE China were analyzed. Analyses of these samples included geochemical measurements, SEM (scanning electron microscope) observations, low pressure CO2 and N2 adsorption, and high-pressure mercury injection experiments. Analysis results indicate that: (1) Pore types in the lacustrine shale include inter-matrix pores, intergranular pores, organic matter pores, and dissolution pores, and these pores are dominated by mesopores and micropores; (2) There is no apparent correlation between pore volumes and clay content, however, a weak negative correlation is present between total pore volume and carbonate content; (3) Pores in lacustrine shale are well developed when the organic matter maturity (Ro) is >1.0% and the pore volume is positively correlated with the TOC (total organic carbon) content. The statistical results suggest that oil in lacustrine shale mainly occurs in pores with diameters larger than 40 nm. However, more research is needed to determine whether this minimum pore diameter for oil occurrence in lacustrine shale is widely applicable. PMID:26285123

Nanometer-Scale Pore Characteristics of Lacustrine Shale, Songliao Basin, NE China.

PubMed

Wang, Min; Yang, Jinxiu; Wang, Zhiwei; Lu, Shuangfang

2015-01-01

In shale, liquid hydrocarbons are accumulated mainly in nanometer-scale pores or fractures, so the pore types and PSDs (pore size distributions) play a major role in the shale oil occurrence (free or absorbed state), amount of oil, and flow features. The pore types and PSDs of marine shale have been well studied; however, research on lacustrine shale is rare, especially for shale in the oil generation window, although lacustrine shale is deposited widely around the world. To investigate the relationship between nanometer-scale pores and oil occurrence in the lacustrine shale, 10 lacustrine shale core samples from Songliao Basin, NE China were analyzed. Analyses of these samples included geochemical measurements, SEM (scanning electron microscope) observations, low pressure CO2 and N2 adsorption, and high-pressure mercury injection experiments. Analysis results indicate that: (1) Pore types in the lacustrine shale include inter-matrix pores, intergranular pores, organic matter pores, and dissolution pores, and these pores are dominated by mesopores and micropores; (2) There is no apparent correlation between pore volumes and clay content, however, a weak negative correlation is present between total pore volume and carbonate content; (3) Pores in lacustrine shale are well developed when the organic matter maturity (Ro) is >1.0% and the pore volume is positively correlated with the TOC (total organic carbon) content. The statistical results suggest that oil in lacustrine shale mainly occurs in pores with diameters larger than 40 nm. However, more research is needed to determine whether this minimum pore diameter for oil occurrence in lacustrine shale is widely applicable.

From Red Cells to Soft Porous Lubrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gacka, T.; Nathan, R.; Wu, L.; Wu, Q.; Cbmss Laboratory Team; Chinese Academy Of Sci. Team

2011-11-01

Feng and Weinbaum (J. Fluid. Mech., 422, 282, 2000), inspired by the enhanced lift phenomena in downhill skiing, developed a new lubrication theory for highly compressible porous media where significantly increased lifting force was predicted as a planing surface glided over a soft porous layer; suggesting superior potential use of porous media for soft lubrication. In this study, we experimentally examine the lift generation phenomena by developing a novel soft porous bearing that consists of a running conveyer belt covered with a soft, 100% polyester, porous sheet, and a stationary, fully instrumented, inclined, planar, upper board. Pore pressure was generated as the upper boundary glides over the soft porous bearing and was measured by pressure sensors. One observed that the pore pressure distribution is consistent with predictions by Feng and Weinbaum (2000), and is a function of the relative velocity between the planing surface and the running belt, the mechanical properties (e.g. porosity, permeability and stiffness) and thickness of the porous layer, as well as the compression ratios at the leading and trailing edges. A load cell is used to characterize the performance of the porous bearing, by comparing pore pressure to total lifting forces. The study presented herein significantly improves our understanding of the behavior of highly compressible porous media under fast compression.

Data Assimilation by Ensemble Kalman Filter during One-Dimensional Nonlinear Consolidation in Randomly Heterogeneous Highly Compressible Aquitards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zapata Norberto, B.; Morales-Casique, E.; Herrera, G. S.

2017-12-01

Severe land subsidence due to groundwater extraction may occur in multiaquifer systems where highly compressible aquitards are present. The highly compressible nature of the aquitards leads to nonlinear consolidation where the groundwater flow parameters are stress-dependent. The case is further complicated by the heterogeneity of the hydrogeologic and geotechnical properties of the aquitards. We explore the effect of realistic vertical heterogeneity of hydrogeologic and geotechnical parameters on the consolidation of highly compressible aquitards by means of 1-D Monte Carlo numerical simulations. 2000 realizations are generated for each of the following parameters: hydraulic conductivity (K), compression index (Cc) and void ratio (e). The correlation structure, the mean and the variance for each parameter were obtained from a literature review about field studies in the lacustrine sediments of Mexico City. The results indicate that among the parameters considered, random K has the largest effect on the ensemble average behavior of the system. Random K leads to the largest variance (and therefore largest uncertainty) of total settlement, groundwater flux and time to reach steady state conditions. We further propose a data assimilation scheme by means of ensemble Kalman filter to estimate the ensemble mean distribution of K, pore-pressure and total settlement. We consider the case where pore-pressure measurements are available at given time intervals. We test our approach by generating a 1-D realization of K with exponential spatial correlation, and solving the nonlinear flow and consolidation problem. These results are taken as our "true" solution. We take pore-pressure "measurements" at different times from this "true" solution. The ensemble Kalman filter method is then employed to estimate ensemble mean distribution of K, pore-pressure and total settlement based on the sequential assimilation of these pore-pressure measurements. The ensemble-mean estimates from this procedure closely approximate those from the "true" solution. This procedure can be easily extended to other random variables such as compression index and void ratio.

Effects of Pore Distributions on Ductility of Thin-Walled High Pressure Die-Cast Magnesium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choi, Kyoo Sil; Li, Dongsheng; Sun, Xin

2013-06-01

In this paper, a microstructure-based three-dimensional (3D) finite element modeling method is adopted to investigate the effects of porosity in thin-walled high pressure die-cast (HPDC) Magnesium alloys on their ductility. For this purpose, the cross-sections of AM60 casting samples are first examined using optical microscope and X-ray tomography to obtain the general information on the pore distribution features. The experimentally observed pore distribution features are then used to generate a series of synthetic microstructure-based 3D finite element models with different pore volume fractions and pore distribution features. Shear and ductile damage models are adopted in the finite element analyses tomore » induce the fracture by element removal, leading to the prediction of ductility. The results in this study show that the ductility monotonically decreases as the pore volume fraction increases and that the effect of ‘skin region’ on the ductility is noticeable under the condition of same local pore volume fraction in the center region of the sample and its existence can be beneficial for the improvement of ductility. The further synthetic microstructure-based 3D finite element analyses are planned to investigate the effects of pore size and pore size distribution.« less

Conductivity affects nanosecond electrical pulse induced pressure transient formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roth, Caleb C.; Barnes, Ronald A.; Ibey, Bennett L.; Beier, Hope T.; Glickman, Randolph D.

2016-03-01

Nanoporation occurs in cells exposed to high amplitude short duration (< 1μs) electrical pulses. The biophysical mechanism(s) responsible for nanoporation is unknown although several theories exist. Current theories focus exclusively on the electrical field, citing electrostriction, water dipole alignment and/or electrodeformation as the primary mechanisms for pore formation. Our group has shown that mechanical forces of substantial magnitude are also generated during nsEP exposures. We hypothesize that these mechanical forces may contribute to pore formation. In this paper, we report that alteration of the conductivity of the exposure solution also altered the level of mechanical forces generated during a nsEP exposure. By reducing the conductivity of the exposure solutions, we found that we could completely eliminate any pressure transients normally created by nsEP exposure. The data collected for this proceeding does not definitively show that the pressure transients previously identified contribute to nanoporation; however; it indicates that conductivity influences both survival and pressure transient formation.

Hydromechanics of the Koyna-Warna Region, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durá-Gómez, Inmaculada; Talwani, Pradeep

2010-02-01

Continuous reservoir-induced seismicity has been observed in the Koyna-Warna region in western India following the beginning of impoundment of Koyna and Warna Reservoirs in 1961 and 1985, respectively. This seismicity includes 19 events with M ≥ 5.0 which occurred in 7 episodes (I-VII) between 1967 and 2005 at non-repeating hypocentral locations. In this study, we examined the first six episodes. The seismicity occurs by diffusion of pore pressures from the reservoirs to hypocentral locations along a saturated, critically stressed network of NE trending faults and NW trending fractures. We used the daily lake levels in the two reservoirs, from impoundment to 2000, to calculate the time history of the diffused pore pressures and their daily rate of change at the hypocentral locations. The results of our analysis indicate that Episodes I and IV are primarily associated with the initial filling of the two reservoirs. The diffused pore pressures are generated by the large (20-45 m) annual fluctuations of lake levels. We interpret that critical excess pore pressures >~300 kPa and >~600 kPa were needed to induce Episodes I-III and Episodes IV-VI, respectively, suggesting the presence of stronger faults in the region. The exceedance of the previous water level maxima (stress memory) was found to be the most important, although not determining factor in inducing the episodes. The annual rise of 40 m or more, rapid filling rates and elevated d p/d t values over a filling cycle, contributed to the rapid increase in pore pressure.

Discussion of pore pressure transmission under rain infiltration in a soil layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, S. Y.; Jan, C. D.

2017-12-01

The vadose zone (or unsaturated zone) denotes the geologic media between ground surface and the water table in situ where the openings, or pores, in the soil (rock) layers are partially filled with water and air. In this landscape, rainwater infiltrates into soils advancing through this vadose zone and could generates a shallow saturation zone at soil bedrock boundary due to permeability contrast. This saturation zone leads to downslope shallow subsurface storm runoff that contributes to a part of saturation overland flow, dominating water reaching river channels. Hence, unsaturated processes (e.g., rain infiltration) is an important issue that can determine the timing and magnitude of positive pore pressure and discharge peaks, and the characteristics of runoff, water chemistry, hillslope stability is also tie to the processes. In this study, we investigated the transmission of pore pressure evolution in the vadose zone for diverse soil materials based on poroelasticity theory. Commonly, a traditional way is to utilize the Richard's equation to predict pore pressure evolution under unsaturated rain infiltration, ignoring the inertial effect on the process. Here we relax this limitation and propose two reference time tk and tep that can represent the arriving time at a certain depth of wave propagation and dissipation, respectively. Form ground surface to a depth of 1 m, tk has significant differences under nearly unsaturated conditions for diverse soil properties; however, no evident variations in tk can be observed under nearly saturated conditions. Values of tep for loose, cohesionless soils are much greater but decreases to the smallest one (within 1 day) than those for other soil properties under a nearly saturated condition. Results indicate that transient pore pressure transmission is mainly dominated by dynamic wave propagation but the effect of dissipation could become more important with increase in water saturation.

Liquefaction of Saturated Soil and the Diffusion Equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawicki, Andrzej; Sławińska, Justyna

2015-06-01

The paper deals with the diffusion equation for pore water pressures with the source term, which is widely promoted in the marine engineering literature. It is shown that such an equation cannot be derived in a consistent way from the mass balance and the Darcy law. The shortcomings of the artificial source term are pointed out, including inconsistencies with experimental data. It is concluded that liquefaction and the preceding process of pore pressure generation and the weakening of the soil skeleton should be described by constitutive equations within the well-known framework of applied mechanics. Relevant references are provided

Hydrologic Controls on Shallow Landslide Location, Size, and Shape

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellugi, D.; Milledge, D.; Perron, T.; McKean, J. A.; Dietrich, W.; Rulli, M.

2012-12-01

Shallow landslides, typically involving just the soil mantle, are principally controlled by topography, soil and root strengths, and soil thickness, and are typically triggered by storm-induced increases in pore water pressure. The response of a landscape to landslide-triggering storms will thus depend on factors such as rainfall totals, storm intensity and duration, and antecedent moisture conditions. The two dominant mechanisms that generate high pore water pressures at a point are topographically-steered lateral subsurface flow (over timescales of days to weeks), and rapid vertical infiltration (over timescales of minutes to hours). We aim to understand the impact of different storm characteristics and hydrologic regimes on shallow landslide location, size, and shape. We have developed a regional-scale model, which applies a low-parameter grid-based multi-dimensional slope stability model within a novel search algorithm, to generate discrete landslide predictions. This model shows that the spatial organization of parameters such as root strength and pore water pressure has a strong control on shallow landslide location, size, and shape. We apply this model to a field site near Coos Bay, OR, where a ten-year landslide inventory has been mapped onto high-resolution topographic data. Our model predicts landslide size generally increases with increasing rainfall intensity, except when root strength is extremely high and pore pressures are topographically steered. The distribution of topographic index values (the ratios of contributing area to slope) of predicted landslides is a clear signature of the pore water pressure generation mechanism: as laterally dominated flow increases, landslides develop in locations with lower slopes and higher contributing areas; in contrast, in the case of vertically-dominated pore pressure rise, landslides are consistently found in locations with higher slopes and lower contributing areas. While in both cases landslides are found in the hollows, where the soils are sufficiently deep to overcome the effects of root strength, in the laterally-dominated case they are predicted to occur further down the hollows (which matches field observations). The size distribution of landslides is better predicted in our model when vertical infiltration dominates, but the observed distribution of topographic index values follows that predicted when lateral flow dominates. This suggests that both mechanisms must be taken into account in order to capture both location and size of shallow landslides (consistent with field observations). These results suggest that this modeling approach could allow us to use observed landslide locations and geometries to infer the dominant hydrologic triggering mechanisms. Furthermore, as the spatial and temporal resolution of precipitation forecasting improves, this model will enable us to more accurately predict both location and size of shallow landslides.

Liquefaction, ground oscillation, and soil deformation at the Wildlife Array, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holzer, T.L.; Youd, T.L.

2007-01-01

Excess pore-water pressure and liquefaction at the Wildlife Liquefaction Array in 1987 were caused by deformation associated with both high-frequency strong ground motion and 5.5-second-period Love waves. The Love waves produced large (???1.5%) cyclic shear strains well after the stronger high-frequency ground motion abated. These cyclic strains generated approximately from 13 to 35% of the excess pore-water pressure in the liquefied layer and caused excess pore-water pressures ultimately to reach effective overburden stress. The deformation associated with the Love waves explains the "postearthquake" increase of pore-water pressure that was recorded at the array. This explanation suggests that conventional methods for predicting liquefaction based on peak ground acceleration are incomplete and may need to consider cyclic strains associated with long-period surface waves. A post-earthquake survey of an inclinometer casing indicated permanent shear strain associated with lateral spreading primarily occurred in the upper part of the liquefied layer. Comparison of cone penetration test soundings conducted after the earthquake with pre-earthquake soundings suggests sleeve friction increased. Natural lateral variability of the liquefied layer obscured changes in tip resistance despite a ???1% reduction in volume. The large oscillatory motion associated with surface waves explains ground oscillation that has been reported at some liquefaction sites during earthquakes.

Scaling of seismicity induced by nonlinear fluid-rock interaction after an injection stop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johann, L.; Dinske, C.; Shapiro, S. A.

2016-11-01

Fluid injections into unconventional reservoirs, performed for fluid-mobility enhancement, are accompanied by microseismic activity also after the injection. Previous studies revealed that the triggering of seismic events can be effectively described by nonlinear diffusion of pore fluid pressure perturbations where the hydraulic diffusivity becomes pressure dependent. The spatiotemporal distribution of postinjection-induced microseismicity has two important features: the triggering front, corresponding to early and distant events, and the back front, representing the time-dependent spatial envelope of the growing seismic quiescence zone. Here for the first time, we describe analytically the temporal behavior of these two fronts after the injection stop in the case of nonlinear pore fluid pressure diffusion. We propose a scaling law for the fronts and show that they are sensitive to the degree of nonlinearity and to the Euclidean dimension of the dominant growth of seismicity clouds. To validate the theoretical finding, we numerically model nonlinear pore fluid pressure diffusion and generate synthetic catalogs of seismicity. Additionally, we apply the new scaling relation to several case studies of injection-induced seismicity. The derived scaling laws describe well synthetic and real data.

Tremor-tide correlations and near-lithostatic pore pressure on the deep San Andreas fault.

PubMed

Thomas, Amanda M; Nadeau, Robert M; Bürgmann, Roland

2009-12-24

Since its initial discovery nearly a decade ago, non-volcanic tremor has provided information about a region of the Earth that was previously thought incapable of generating seismic radiation. A thorough explanation of the geologic process responsible for tremor generation has, however, yet to be determined. Owing to their location at the plate interface, temporal correlation with geodetically measured slow-slip events and dominant shear wave energy, tremor observations in southwest Japan have been interpreted as a superposition of many low-frequency earthquakes that represent slip on a fault surface. Fluids may also be fundamental to the failure process in subduction zone environments, as teleseismic and tidal modulation of tremor in Cascadia and Japan and high Poisson ratios in both source regions are indicative of pressurized pore fluids. Here we identify a robust correlation between extremely small, tidally induced shear stress parallel to the San Andreas fault and non-volcanic tremor activity near Parkfield, California. We suggest that this tremor represents shear failure on a critically stressed fault in the presence of near-lithostatic pore pressure. There are a number of similarities between tremor in subduction zone environments, such as Cascadia and Japan, and tremor on the deep San Andreas transform, suggesting that the results presented here may also be applicable in other tectonic settings.

Whisker growth of l-menthol in coexistence with various excipients.

PubMed

Yuasa, H; Ooi, M; Takashima, Y; Kanaya, Y

2000-08-10

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the mechanism for l-menthol whisker growth. l-Menthol was mixed with an excipient, and the interaction was examined by IR measurement, thermal analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. Then we examined the involvement of the capillary condensation using the pore size distribution measurement. By mixing l-menthol with an excipient with whisker growth, the hydroxyl group stretching band of l-menthol was shifted to the higher wavenumber in the IR spectrum, the melting point and heat of fusion of l-menthol became lower in the thermal analysis, and the diffraction intensity of l-menthol became lower in the powder X-ray diffraction. The excipients with whisker growth showed the tendency to have the meso-pore involved in the capillary condensation in the pore size distribution measurement. From the above results, the whisker growth mechanism is considered as follows. When l-menthol was mixed with an excipient with whisker growth, the crystallinity of l-menthol was lowered and the vapor pressure was increased by the interaction mainly consisting of the hydrogen bond. The generated l-menthol vapor entered meso-pore, the saturated vapor pressure was lowered by the capillary condensation, and the nucleation occurred. The vapor was further supplied, generating the growth of whisker.

Surge dynamics coupled to pore-pressure evolution in debris flows

USGS Publications Warehouse

Savage, S.B.; Iverson, R.M.; ,

2003-01-01

Temporally and spatially varying pore-fluid pressures exert strong controls on debris-flow motion by mediating internal and basal friction at grain contacts. We analyze these effects by deriving a one-dimensional model of pore-pressure diffusion explicitly coupled to changes in debris-flow thickness. The new pore-pressure equation is combined with Iverson's (1997) extension of the depth-averaged Savage-Hutter (1989, 1991) granular avalanche equations to predict motion of unsteady debris-flow surges with evolving pore-pressure distributions. Computational results illustrate the profound effects of pore-pressure diffusivities on debris-flow surge depths and velocities. ?? 2003 Millpress,.

Simulation of gas flow in micro-porous media with the regularized lattice Boltzmann method

DOE PAGES

Wang, Junjian; Kang, Qinjun; Wang, Yuzhu; ...

2017-06-01

One primary challenge for prediction of gas flow in the unconventional gas reservoir at the pore-scale such as shale and tight gas reservoirs is the geometric complexity of the micro-porous media. In this paper, a regularized multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann (LB) model is applied to analyze gas flow in 2-dimensional micro-porous medium reconstructed by quartet structure generation set (QSGS) on pore-scale. In this paper, the velocity distribution inside the porous structure is presented and analyzed, and the effects of the porosity and specific surface area on the rarefied gas flow and apparent permeability are examined and investigated. The simulation resultsmore » indicate that the gas exhibits different flow behaviours at various pressure conditions and the gas permeability is strongly related to the pressure. Finally, the increased porosity or the decreased specific surface area leads to the increase of the gas apparent permeability, and the gas flow is more sensitive to the pore morphological properties at low-pressure conditions.« less

Simulation of gas flow in micro-porous media with the regularized lattice Boltzmann method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Junjian; Kang, Qinjun; Wang, Yuzhu

One primary challenge for prediction of gas flow in the unconventional gas reservoir at the pore-scale such as shale and tight gas reservoirs is the geometric complexity of the micro-porous media. In this paper, a regularized multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann (LB) model is applied to analyze gas flow in 2-dimensional micro-porous medium reconstructed by quartet structure generation set (QSGS) on pore-scale. In this paper, the velocity distribution inside the porous structure is presented and analyzed, and the effects of the porosity and specific surface area on the rarefied gas flow and apparent permeability are examined and investigated. The simulation resultsmore » indicate that the gas exhibits different flow behaviours at various pressure conditions and the gas permeability is strongly related to the pressure. Finally, the increased porosity or the decreased specific surface area leads to the increase of the gas apparent permeability, and the gas flow is more sensitive to the pore morphological properties at low-pressure conditions.« less

Pore Fluid Pressure Development in Compacting Fault Gouge in Theory, Experiments, and Nature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faulkner, D. R.; Sanchez-Roa, C.; Boulton, C.; den Hartog, S. A. M.

2018-01-01

The strength of fault zones is strongly dependent on pore fluid pressures within them. Moreover, transient changes in pore fluid pressure can lead to a variety of slip behavior from creep to unstable slip manifested as earthquakes or slow slip events. The frictional properties of low-permeability fault gouge in nature and experiment can be affected by pore fluid pressure development through compaction within the gouge layer, even when the boundaries are drained. Here the conditions under which significant pore fluid pressures develop are analyzed analytically, numerically, and experimentally. Friction experiments on low-permeability fault gouge at different sliding velocities show progressive weakening as slip rate is increased, indicating that faster experiments are incapable of draining the pore fluid pressure produced by compaction. Experiments are used to constrain the evolution of the permeability and pore volume needed for numerical modeling of pore fluid pressure build up. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experiments, indicating that the principal physical processes have been considered. The model is used to analyze the effect of pore fluid pressure transients on the determination of the frictional properties, illustrating that intrinsic velocity-strengthening behavior can appear velocity weakening if pore fluid pressure is not given sufficient time to equilibrate. The results illustrate that care must be taken when measuring experimentally the frictional characteristics of low-permeability fault gouge. The contribution of compaction-induced pore fluid pressurization leading to weakening of natural faults is considered. Cyclic pressurization of pore fluid within fault gouge during successive earthquakes on larger faults may reset porosity and hence the capacity for compaction weakening.

Study on the Adsorption Phenomenon in Shale with the Combination of Molecular Dynamic Simulation and Fractal Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Liehui; Li, Jianchao; Jia, Du; Zhao, Yulong; Xie, Chunyu; Tao, Zhengwu

As one of the key status of gas in shale reservoir, adsorption gas accounts for considerable percentage of total gas amount. Due to the complexity and nanostructure of shale gas reservoir, it is very challenging to represent adsorption gas through traditional methods. However, the integration of the fractal theory and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation may provide a new perspective of understanding such nanostructure and the micro-phenomenon happening in it. The key purpose of this paper is to investigate the adsorption phenomenon in shale kerogen. By using MD simulation and grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) algorithm, the adsorption of methane in 2, 5 and 10nm slit-like pores is simulated for different temperature and pressure status. According to the results, the average gas density in smaller pores is higher than that in bigger pores, and multilayer adsorption presents on some areas of pore surfaces. Then, the simulation results are analyzed using the multilayer fractal adsorption model. The analysis indicates that the number of adsorption layer increases with pressure increase: four-layer adsorption presents in 10nm pores while three-layer adsorption shows up in 2nm and 5nm pores due to pore volume limit. Fractal dimension of pore wall surface generated in this study is in the range of 2.31-2.63. Moreover, high temperature could decrease the adsorption behavior in reservoir condition.

Pore pressure development beneath the décollement at the Nankai subduction zone: Implications for plate boundary fault strength and sediment dewatering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skarbek, Robert M.; Saffer, Demian M.

2009-07-01

Despite its importance for plate boundary fault processes, quantitative constraints on pore pressure are rare, especially within fault zones. Here, we combine laboratory permeability measurements from core samples with a model of loading and pore pressure diffusion to investigate pore fluid pressure evolution within underthrust sediment at the Nankai subduction zone. Independent estimates of pore pressure to ˜20 km from the trench, combined with permeability measurements conducted over a wide range of effective stresses and porosities, allow us to reliably simulate pore pressure development to greater depths than in previous studies and to directly quantify pore pressure within the plate boundary fault zone itself, which acts as the upper boundary of the underthrusting section. Our results suggest that the time-averaged excess pore pressure (P*) along the décollement ranges from 1.7-2.1 MPa at the trench to 30.2-35.9 MPa by 40 km landward, corresponding to pore pressure ratios of λb = 0.68-0.77. For friction coefficients of 0.30-0.40, the resulting shear strength along the décollement remains <12 MPa over this region. When noncohesive critical taper theory is applied using these values, the required pore pressure ratios within the wedge are near hydrostatic (λw = 0.41-0.59), implying either that pore pressure throughout the wedge is low or that the fault slips only during transient pulses of elevated pore pressure. In addition, simulated downward migration of minima in effective stress during drainage provides a quantitative explanation for down stepping of the décollement that is consistent with observations at Nankai.

2D Simulations of Earthquake Cycles at a Subduction Zone Based on a Rate and State Friction Law -Effects of Pore Fluid Pressure Changes-

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitsui, Y.; Hirahara, K.

2006-12-01

There have been a lot of studies that simulate large earthquakes occurring quasi-periodically at a subduction zone, based on the laboratory-derived rate-and-state friction law [eg. Kato and Hirasawa (1997), Hirose and Hirahara (2002)]. All of them assume that pore fluid pressure in the fault zone is constant. However, in the fault zone, pore fluid pressure changes suddenly, due to coseismic pore dilatation [Marone (1990)] and thermal pressurization [Mase and Smith (1987)]. If pore fluid pressure drops and effective normal stress rises, fault slip is decelerated. Inversely, if pore fluid pressure rises and effective normal stress drops, fault slip is accelerated. The effect of pore fluid may cause slow slip events and low-frequency tremor [Kodaira et al. (2004), Shelly et al. (2006)]. For a simple spring model, how pore dilatation affects slip instability was investigated [Segall and Rice (1995), Sleep (1995)]. When the rate of the slip becomes high, pore dilatation occurs and pore pressure drops, and the rate of the slip is restrained. Then the inflow of pore fluid recovers the pore pressure. We execute 2D earthquake cycle simulations at a subduction zone, taking into account such changes of pore fluid pressure following Segall and Rice (1995), in addition to the numerical scheme in Kato and Hirasawa (1997). We do not adopt hydrostatic pore pressure but excess pore pressure for initial condition, because upflow of dehydrated water seems to exist at a subduction zone. In our model, pore fluid is confined to the fault damage zone and flows along the plate interface. The smaller the flow rate is, the later pore pressure recovers. Since effective normal stress keeps larger, the fault slip is decelerated and stress drop becomes smaller. Therefore the smaller flow rate along the fault zone leads to the shorter earthquake recurrence time. Thus, not only the frictional parameters and the subduction rate but also the fault zone permeability affects the recurrence time of earthquake cycle. Further, the existence of heterogeneity in the permeability along the plate interface can bring about other slip behaviors, such as slow slip events. Our simulations indicate that, in addition to the frictional parameters, the permeability within the fault damage zone is one of essential parameters, which controls the whole earthquake cycle.

From red cells to soft porous lubrication.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Qianhong; Zhu, Zenghao; Nathan, Rungun

2017-11-01

In this paper, we report a novel experimental study to examine the lubrication theory for highly compressible porous media (Feng & Weinbaum, JFM, 422, 282, 2000), which was applied to the frictionless motion of red cells over the endothelial surface layer (ESL). The experimental setup consists of a running conveyer belt covered with a porous sheet, and an upper planar board, i.e. planing surface. The pore pressure generation was captured when the planing surface glides over the porous sheet. If the lateral leakage was eliminated, we found that the overall pore pressure's contribution to the total lift, fair 80%, and the friction coefficient η = 0.0981, when U =5 m/s, L =0.381 m, λ = h2/h0 = 1 and k =h2/h1 = 3, where U is the velocity of the conveyor belt; L is the planing surface length; h0, h1 and h2 are the undeformed, leading and trailing edge porous layer thickness, respectively. fair increases with the increase in U, λ and L, while decreases with the increase in k. η decreases with the increase in fair. If lateral pressure leakage exists, the pore pressure generation is reduced by nearly 90%. All the results agreed well with the theoretical predictions. The study here lays the foundation for applying soft porous media for new type of bearing with significantly reduced friction. This research was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF CBET) under Award No. 1511096.

Quaternary Sediment Accumulation in the Aleutian Trench: Implications for Dehydration Reaction Progress and Pore Pressure Development Offshore Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meridth, L. N.; Screaton, E.; Jaeger, J. M.; James, S. R.; Villaseñor, T. G.

2015-12-01

Sediment inputs to subduction zones impart a significant control on diagenetic reaction progress, fluid production and pore pressure development and thus affect hydrologic and tectonic behavior during subduction. Intensified glaciation following the mid-Pleistocene transition increased sediment flux to the Gulf of Alaska. Rapid sediment accumulation (>1 km/my) in the Aleutian Trench increases overburden and should accelerate dehydration of hydrous sedimentary components by elevating temperatures in the incoming sediment column. These processes have the potential to generate fluid overpressures in the mud-dominated, low permeability sediments deposited on the incoming plate, offshore SE Alaska. Mineralogical analyses on incoming sediments from Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 18 and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 341 show that both smectite and Opal-A are present as hydrous mineral phases. A 1-D numerical model was developed to track dehydration reaction progress and pore pressures in the incoming sediment column from the abyssal plain to the Aleutian Trench. Simulated temperatures in the incoming column increase due to the insulating effect of trench sediments. As a result, trench sedimentation causes smectite dehydration to begin and Opal-A dehydration to nearly reach completion at the deformation front. Simulated excess pore pressures in the proto-decollement zone increase from nearly hydrostatic to almost half of lithostatic due to the rapid deposition of trench sediments. The 1-D modeling results were incorporated into a 2-D model that follows the underthrust column at the deformation front into the subduction zone. Simulated results of the 2-D flow model illustrate the effects of lateral flow on pore pressure distribution following subduction.

Evolution of fracture permeability of ultramafic rocks undergoing serpentinization at hydrothermal conditions: An experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farough, A.; Moore, D. E.; Lockner, D. A.; Lowell, R. P.

2016-01-01

We performed flow-through laboratory experiments on five cylindrically cored samples of ultramafic rocks, in which we generated a well-mated through-going tensile fracture, to investigate evolution of fracture permeability during serpentinization. The samples were tested in a triaxial loading machine at a confining pressure of 50 MPa, pore pressure of 20 MPa, and temperature of 260°C, simulating a depth of 2 km under hydrostatic conditions. A pore pressure difference of up to 2 MPa was imposed across the ends of the sample. Fracture permeability decreased by 1-2 orders of magnitude during the 200-330 h experiments. Electron microprobe and SEM data indicated the formation of needle-shaped crystals of serpentine composition along the walls of the fracture, and chemical analyses of sampled pore fluids were consistent with dissolution of ferro-magnesian minerals. By comparing the difference between fracture permeability and matrix permeability measured on intact samples of the same rock types, we concluded that the contribution of the low matrix permeability to flow is negligible and essentially all of the flow is focused in the tensile fracture. The experimental results suggest that the fracture network in long-lived hydrothermal circulation systems can be sealed rapidly as a result of mineral precipitation, and generation of new permeability resulting from a combination of tectonic and crystallization-induced stresses is required to maintain fluid circulation.

Evolution of fracture permeability of ultramafic rocks undergoing serpentinization at hydrothermal conditions: An experimental study

USGS Publications Warehouse

Farough, Aida; Moore, Diane E.; Lockner, David A.; Lowell, R.P.

2016-01-01

We performed flow-through laboratory experiments on five cylindrically cored samples of ultramafic rocks, in which we generated a well-mated through-going tensile fracture, to investigate evolution of fracture permeability during serpentinization. The samples were tested in a triaxial loading machine at a confining pressure of 50 MPa, pore pressure of 20 MPa, and temperature of 260°C, simulating a depth of 2 km under hydrostatic conditions. A pore pressure difference of up to 2 MPa was imposed across the ends of the sample. Fracture permeability decreased by 1–2 orders of magnitude during the 200–330 h experiments. Electron microprobe and SEM data indicated the formation of needle-shaped crystals of serpentine composition along the walls of the fracture, and chemical analyses of sampled pore fluids were consistent with dissolution of ferro-magnesian minerals. By comparing the difference between fracture permeability and matrix permeability measured on intact samples of the same rock types, we concluded that the contribution of the low matrix permeability to flow is negligible and essentially all of the flow is focused in the tensile fracture. The experimental results suggest that the fracture network in long-lived hydrothermal circulation systems can be sealed rapidly as a result of mineral precipitation, and generation of new permeability resulting from a combination of tectonic and crystallization-induced stresses is required to maintain fluid circulation.

Constraints on Pore Pressure in Subduction Zones From Geotechnical Tests and Physical Properties Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saffer, D. M.; McKiernan, A. W.

2005-12-01

At subduction zones, as incoming sediments are either offscraped or underthrust at the trench, elevated pore pressures result from the combination of rapid loading and low permeability. Pore pressure within underthrust sediment is especially important for the mechanical strength of the plate boundary fault system, because the main décollement localizes immediately above this sediment, and at many subduction zones steps downward into it. Because the underthrust sediment undergoes progressive uniaxial (vertical) strain, quantitative estimates of in situ pore pressure can be obtained by several methods, including: (1) maximum past burial stress ( Pv'}) from laboratory consolidation tests on core samples, and (2) observed compaction trends in boreholes. These methods allow a detailed view of pore pressure and its variability down-section, providing insight into dewatering processes and the evolution of shear strength relevant to early development of the décollement. Geotechnical tests also provide independent measurement of the coefficient of consolidation ( Cv), compressibility ( mv), and permeability (k) of sediment samples, which can be used to parameterize forward models of pressure generation. Here, I discuss pore pressure estimates derived from (1) consolidation tests on core samples, and (2) observed porosity profiles, along transects where ODP drilling has sampled sediment at the Nankai, N. Barbados, and Costa Rican subduction zones. At all three margins, the two independent methods yield consistent results, and indicate development of significant overpressures that increase systematically with distance from the trench. The values are in good agreement with direct measurements in 2 instrumented boreholes at Barbados, maximum and minimum bounds from the known loading rate, and results of 2-D numerical models of fluid flow. Inferred pressures document nearly undrained conditions at the base of the section (excess pressures equal to the load emplaced by subduction burial), and partially drained conditions at the top (excess pressures of ~40% of the undrained response at Costa Rica, ~50-60% at Nankai, and ~90-100% at Barbados). The spatial pattern of excess pore pressure is most consistent with upward drainage to a highly permeable décollement, to distances of at least 5-10 km landward of the trench. When directly measured values of mv and k from laboratory geotechnical experiments are incorporated into simple 1-D models of vertical dewatering, simulated pore pressures are consistent with those inferred from consolidation tests and porosity data. Model results suggest that severe underconsolidation should persist for tens of km from the trench; notably, simulated underconsolidation is diminished by 20-30 km landward of the trench at Nankai, broadly coincident with the locations of both diminished seismic reflection amplitude observed at the décollement and the updip extent of coseismic slip. The consistent results achieved at these three margins indicate that: (1) geotechnical tests can provide viable estimates of in situ pore pressure, at least at shallow depths, and (2) laboratory-derived values of permeability and sediment compressibility may be representative of in situ properties, despite collection at small spatial scale and over short times. However, significant uncertainty exists in projecting models to greater depth using geotechnical parameters from shallow samples; more detailed laboratory investigations are clearly needed to better understand the roles of temperature, rate, and diagenetic effects.

Quantification of subsurface pore pressure through IODP drilling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saffer, D. M.; Flemings, P. B.

2010-12-01

It is critical to understand the magnitude and distribution of subsurface pore fluid pressure: it controls effective stress and thus mechanical strength, slope stability, and sediment compaction. Elevated pore pressures also drive fluid flows that serve as agents of mass, solute, and heat fluxes. The Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) have provided important avenues to quantify pore pressure in a range of geologic and tectonic settings. These approaches include 1) analysis of continuous downhole logs and shipboard physical properties data to infer compaction state and in situ pressure and stress, 2) laboratory consolidation testing of core samples collected by drilling, 3) direct downhole measurements using pore pressure probes, 3) pore pressure and stress measurements using downhole tools that can be deployed in wide diameter pipe recently acquired for riser drilling, and 4) long-term monitoring of formation pore pressure in sealed boreholes within hydraulically isolated intervals. Here, we summarize key advances in quantification of subsurface pore pressure rooted in scientific drilling, highlighting with examples from subduction zones, the Gulf of Mexico, and the New Jersey continental shelf. At the Nankai, Costa Rican, and Barbados subduction zones, consolidation testing of cores samples, combined with analysis of physical properties data, indicates that even within a few km landward of the trench, pore pressures in and below plate boundary décollement zones reach a significant fraction of the lithostatic load (λ*=0.25-0.91). These results document a viable and quantifiable mechanism to explain the mechanical weakness of subduction décollements, and are corroborated by a small number of direct measurements in sealed boreholes and by inferences from seismic reflection data. Recent downhole measurements conducted during riser drilling using the modular formation dynamics tester wireline tool (MDT) in a forearc basin ~50 km from the trench document hydrostatic pore pressures in the basin fill down to ~1500 mbsf, and illustrate a promising technique for obtaining pore pressure and stress magnitude. In the Gulf of Mexico, we used pore pressure penetrometers to measure severe overpressures (λ*=0.7); a comprehensive program of consolidation testing on recovered core samples confirms elevated pore pressures due to rapid sedimentation, reflecting disequilibrium compaction. Similarly, along the New Jersey continental shelf, analysis of porosity data from downhole logs and augmented by geotechnical testing of cores demonstrates elevated pore pressures in the shallow subsurface. In both offshore New Jersey and the Gulf of Mexico, integration of direct measurements, geotechnical testing, and hydrodynamic modeling illustrate how flow is focused along permeable layers to reduce effective stress and drive submarine landslides. In sum, pore pressure observations made through the ODP and IODP provide insight into how pore pressure controls the large-scale form of passive and active continental margins, how submarine landslides form, and provide strategies for engineering deep boreholes.

Seismic attributes and advanced computer algorithm to predict formation pore pressure: Qalibah formation of Northwest Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nour, Abdoulshakour M.

Oil and gas exploration professionals have long recognized the importance of predicting pore pressure before drilling wells. Pre-drill pore pressure estimation not only helps with drilling wells safely but also aids in the determination of formation fluids migration and seal integrity. With respect to the hydrocarbon reservoirs, the appropriate drilling mud weight is directly related to the estimated pore pressure in the formation. If the mud weight is lower than the formation pressure, a blowout may occur, and conversely, if it is higher than the formation pressure, the formation may suffer irreparable damage due to the invasion of drilling fluids into the formation. A simple definition of pore pressure is the pressure of the pore fluids in excess of the hydrostatic pressure. In this thesis, I investigated the utility of advance computer algorithm called Support Vector Machine (SVM) to learn the pattern of high pore pressure regime, using seismic attributes such as Instantaneous phase, t*Attenuation, Cosine of Phase, Vp/Vs ratio, P-Impedance, Reflection Acoustic Impedance, Dominant frequency and one well attribute (Mud-Weigh) as the learning dataset. I applied this technique to the over pressured Qalibah formation of Northwest Saudi Arabia. The results of my research revealed that in the Qalibah formation of Northwest Saudi Arabia, the pore pressure trend can be predicted using SVM with seismic and well attributes as the learning dataset. I was able to show the pore pressure trend at any given point within the geographical extent of the 3D seismic data from which the seismic attributes were derived. In addition, my results surprisingly showed the subtle variation of pressure within the thick succession of shale units of the Qalibah formation.

Heat of adsorption, adsorption stress, and optimal storage of methane in slit and cylindrical carbon pores predicted by classical density functional theory.

PubMed

Hlushak, Stepan

2018-01-03

Temperature, pressure and pore-size dependences of the heat of adsorption, adsorption stress, and adsorption capacity of methane in simple models of slit and cylindrical carbon pores are studied using classical density functional theory (CDFT) and grand-canonical Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation. Studied properties depend nontrivially on the bulk pressure and the size of the pores. Heat of adsorption increases with loading, but only for sufficiently narrow pores. While the increase is advantageous for gas storage applications, it is less significant for cylindrical pores than for slits. Adsorption stress and the average adsorbed fluid density show oscillatory dependence on the pore size and increase with bulk pressure. Slit pores exhibit larger amplitude of oscillations of the normal adsorption stress with pore size increase than cylindrical pores. However, the increase of the magnitude of the adsorption stress with bulk pressure increase is more significant for cylindrical than for slit pores. Adsorption stress appears to be negative for a wide range of pore sizes and external conditions. The pore size dependence of the average delivered density of the gas is analyzed and the optimal pore sizes for storage applications are estimated. The optimal width of slit pore appears to be almost independent of storage pressure at room temperature and pressures above 10 bar. Similarly to the case of slit pores, the optimal radius of cylindrical pores does not exhibit much dependence on the storage pressure above 15 bar. Both optimal width and optimal radii of slit and cylindrical pores increase as the temperature decreases. A comparison of the results of CDFT theory and MC simulations reveals subtle but important differences in the underlying fluid models employed by the approaches. The differences in the high-pressure behaviour between the hard-sphere 2-Yukawa and Lennard-Jones models of methane, employed by the CDFT and MC approaches, respectively, result in an overestimation of the heat of adsorption by the CDFT theory at higher loadings. However, both adsorption stress and adsorption capacity appear to be much less sensitive to the differences between the models and demonstrate excellent agreement between the theory and the computer experiment.

Investigation of Thermophysical Parameters Properties for Enhancing Overpressure Mechanism Estimation. Case Study: Miri Area, West Baram Delta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adha, Kurniawan; Yusoff, Wan Ismail Wan; Almanna Lubis, Luluan

2017-10-01

Determining the pore pressure data and overpressure zone is a compulsory part of oil and gas exploration in which the data can enhance the safety with profit and preventing the drilling hazards. Investigation of thermophysical parameters such as temperature and thermal conductivity can enhance the pore pressure estimation for overpressure mechanism determination. Since those parameters are dependent on rock properties, it may reflect the changes on the column of thermophysical parameters when there is abnormally in pore pressure. The study was conducted in “MRI 1” well offshore Sarawak, where a new approach method designed to determine the overpressure generation. The study was insisted the contribution of thermophysical parameters for supporting the velocity analysis method, petrophysical analysis were done in these studies. Four thermal facies were identified along the well. The overpressure developed below the thermal facies 4, where the pressure reached 38 Mpa and temperature was increasing significantly. The velocity and the thermal conductivity cross plots shows a linear relationship since the both parameters mainly are the function of the rock compaction. When the rock more compact, the particles were brought closer into contact and making the sound wave going faster while the thermal conductivity were increasing. In addition, the increment of temperature and high heat flow indicated the presence of fluid expansion mechanism. Since the shale sonic velocity and density analysis were the common methods in overpressure mechanism and pore pressure estimation. As the addition parameters for determining overpressure zone, the presence of thermophysical analysis was enhancing the current method, where the current method was the single function of velocity analysis. The presence of thermophysical analysis will improve the understanding in overpressure mechanism determination as the new input parameters. Thus, integrated of thermophysical technique and velocity analysis are important parameters in investigating the overpressure mechanisms and pore pressure estimation during oil and gas exploitation in the future.

Fabrication of Artificial Leaf to Develop Fluid Pump Driven by Surface Tension and Evaporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Minki; Lim, Hosub; Lee, Jinkee

2017-11-01

Plants transport water from roots to leaves via xylem through transpiration, which is an evaporation process that occurs at the leaves. During transpiration, negative pressure can be generated by the porous structure of mesophyll cells in the leaves. Here, an artificial leaf mimicking structure using hydrogel, which has a nanoporous structure is fabricated. The cryogel method is used to develop a hierarchy structure on the nano- and microscale in the hydrogel media that is similar to the mesophyll cells and veins of a leaf, respectively. The theoretical model is analyzed to calculate the flow resistance in the artificial leaf, and compare the model with the experimental results. The experiment involves connecting a glass capillary tube at the bottom of the artificial leaf to observe the fluid velocity in the glass capillary tube generated by the negative pressure. The use of silicone oil as fluid instead of water to increase the flow resistance enables the measurement of negative pressure. The negative pressure of the artificial leaf is affected by several variables (e.g., pore size, wettability of the structure). Finally, by decreasing the pore size and increasing the wettability, the maximum negative pressure of the artificial leaf, -7.9 kPa is obtained.

Modeling 3-D Slope Stability of Coastal Bluffs Using 3-D Ground-Water Flow, Southwestern Seattle, Washington

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brien, Dianne L.; Reid, Mark E.

2007-01-01

Landslides are a common problem on coastal bluffs throughout the world. Along the coastal bluffs of the Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington, landslides range from small, shallow failures to large, deep-seated landslides. Landslides of all types can pose hazards to human lives and property, but deep-seated landslides are of significant concern because their large areal extent can cause extensive property damage. Although many geomorphic processes shape the coastal bluffs of Seattle, we focus on large (greater than 3,000 m3), deepseated, rotational landslides that occur on the steep bluffs along Puget Sound. Many of these larger failures occur in advance outwash deposits of the Vashon Drift (Qva); some failures extend into the underlying Lawton Clay Member of the Vashon Drift (Qvlc). The slope stability of coastal bluffs is controlled by the interplay of three-dimensional (3-D) variations in gravitational stress, strength, and pore-water pressure. We assess 3-D slope-stability using SCOOPS (Reid and others, 2000), a computer program that allows us to search a high-resolution digital-elevation model (DEM) to quantify the relative stability of all parts of the landscape by computing the stability and volume of thousands of potential spherical failures. SCOOPS incorporates topography, 3-D strength variations, and 3-D pore pressures. Initially, we use our 3-D analysis methods to examine the effects of topography and geology by using heterogeneous material properties, as defined by stratigraphy, without pore pressures. In this scenario, the least-stable areas are located on the steepest slopes, commonly in Qva or Qvlc. However, these locations do not agree well with observations of deep-seated landslides. Historically, both shallow colluvial landslides and deep-seated landslides have been observed near the contact between Qva and Qvlc, and commonly occur in Qva. The low hydraulic conductivity of Qvlc impedes ground-water flow, resulting in elevated pore pressures at the base of Qva, thereby increasing the potential for landslides. Our analysis simulates the ground-water flow using the results of a 3-D ground-water flow model, MODFLOW-2000 (Harbaugh and others, 2000), to generate a 3-D pore-pressure field. Areas of elevated pore pressure reflect the influence of a perched ground-water table in Qva, as well as ground-water convergence in the coastal re-entrants. We obtain a realistic model of deep-seated landsliding by combining 3-D pore pressures with heterogeneous strength properties. The results show the least-stable areas where pore pressures are locally elevated in Qva. We compare our results with records of past landslides. The predicted leaststable areas include two historically active deep-seated landslides and areas adjacent to these landslides.

Three-Dimensional Modeling of Fluid and Heat Transport in an Accretionary Complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paula, C. A.; Ge, S.; Screaton, E. J.

2001-12-01

As sediments are scraped off of the subducting oceanic crust and accreted to the overriding plate, the rapid loading causes pore pressures in the underthrust sediments to increase. The change in pore pressure drives fluid flow and heat transport within the accretionary complex. Fluid is channeled along higher permeability faults and fractures and expelled at the seafloor. In this investigation, we examined the effects of sediment loading on fluid flow and thermal transport in the decollement at the Barbados Ridge subduction zone. Both the width and thickness of the Barbados Ridge accretionary complex increase from north to south. The presence of mud diapers south of the Tiburon Rise and an observed southward decrease in heat flow measurements indicate that the increased thickness of the southern Barbados accretionary prism affects the transport of chemicals and heat by fluids. The three-dimensional geometry and physical properties of the accretionary complex were utilized to construct a three-dimensional fluid flow/heat transport model. We calculated the pore pressure change due to a period of sediment loading and added this to steady-state pressure conditions to generate initial conditions for transient simulations. We then examined the diffusion of pore pressure and possible perturbation of the thermal regime over time due to loading of the underthrust sediments. The model results show that the sediment-loading event was sufficient to create small temperature fluctuations in the decollement zone. The magnitude of temperature fluctuation in the decollement was greatest at the deformation front but did not vary significantly from north to south of the Tiburon Rise.

Examination of Anisotropy Using Amplitude Variation with Angle and Azimuth (AVAZ) in the Woodford Shale, Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bailey, Austin

Amplitude Variation with Angle and Azimuth (AVAZ) is a method that examines the azimuthal change in seismic amplitude to calculate the anisotropy of a horizontally transverse isotropic (HTI) formation. Anisotropy is generally indicative of heterogeneity in the rock fabric, be it fractures, crack-like pores, or local stress changes. The aim of this study as a whole is to examine the relationship between AVAZ anisotropy magnitude from seismic data and pore pressure gradient from wells. Pore pressure is an important reservoir metric that is often used to understand the production variations within a hydrocarbon reservoir. Predicting pore pressure from seismic data can be extremely useful in not only estimating production, but also in predicting the completion and development strategies that may be most effective. However, seismic-based pore pressure prediction methods have not evolved much in the past decade, with the industry standard to rely on the Bowers (1995) or Eaton (1987) method of converting seismic velocities to pore pressure volumes. These methods may fall short as a predictive tool in many cases, due to their lack of spatial resolution and dependency on a stable velocity model, which may not always be available. Therefore, this study was begun in order to examine if an alternative method of detecting pore pressure variations could be found using AVAZ. The AVAZ methodology was applied to a merged 3D seismic dataset in the Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma provided by Cimarex Energy, in order to examine the Woodford Shale. The Woodford has been a key player in hydrocarbon production from the Anadarko Basin for decades, mainly serving as a source rock until the mid-2000's during the "unconventional revolution''. Throughout its extent, the Woodford Formation shows significant heterogeneity due to both the structure and faults of the basin, as well as changes in the rock fabric. This study aims to use the AVAZ methodology to examine heterogeneity in the Woodford and to relate its anisotropy to pore pressure. Before examining the AVAZ effect in the seismic data, forward modeling from well logs was completed to conceptualize a relationship between pore pressure and anisotropy. Theoretically, at higher pore pressures the reservoir fluid may be effectively propping the fractures open, thus having a greater effect on any pressure wave traveling through the fluid. At lower pore pressure, the overburden pressure dominates the fluid-filled fractures and closes them down. Therefore, at higher pore pressure the AVAZ anisotropy would be greater than at lower pore pressure. The forward modeling from dipole sonic well logs confirms this conceptual model by showing a positive relationship between pore pressure and AVAZ anisotropy. Before the results of the AVAZ workflow were obtained, a variety of pre-processing steps and quality controls were done on the merged 3D seismic dataset. Although the pore pressure - anisotropy relationship appears robust in modeling, the AVAZ results from the seismic data do not appear to correlate with pore pressure. It is likely that acquisition-related artifacts in the seismic data, as well as small magnitude of change in pore pressure, contribute to this lack of correlation. However, further interpretation of the AVAZ volumes shows local stress variations near faults as well as a potential secondary stress trend striking to the north-east. Such information has implications for completion and overall development of the Woodford as an unconventional resource play.

Capillary pressure spectrometry: Toward a new method for the measurement of the fractional wettability of porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sygouni, Varvara; Tsakiroglou, Christos D.; Payatakes, Alkiviades C.

2006-05-01

A transparent porous medium of controlled fractional wettability is fabricated by mixing intermediate-wet glass microspheres with strongly oil-wet polytetrafluouroethylene microspheres, and packing them between two transparent glass plates. Silicon oil is displaced by water, the growth pattern is video-recorded, and the transient response of the pressure drop across the pore network is measured for various fractions of oil-wet particles. The measured global capillary pressure fluctuates as the result of the variation of the equilibrium curvature of menisci between local maxima and local minima. With the aid of wavelets, the transient response of the capillary pressure is transformed to a capillary pressure spectrum (CPS). The peaks of the CPS are used to identify the most significant flow events and correlate their amplitude with the spatial distribution of fractional wettability. The flow events are closely related with the fluctuations of the capillary pressure and are classified into three main categories: motion in pore clusters, generation/expansion of capillary fingers, coalescence of interfaces. The amplitude of the peaks of CPS is related quasilinearly with a local coefficient of fractional wettability presuming that the same class of flow events is concerned. Approximate calculations of the maximum meniscus curvature in pores of converging-diverging geometry and uniform wettability in combination with simple mixing laws predict satisfactorily the experimentally measured average prebreakthrough capillary pressure as a function of the fraction of the oil-wet particles.

Abnormally high formation pressures, Potwar Plateau, Pakistan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Law, B.E.; Shah, S.H.A.; Malik, M.A.

1998-01-01

Abnormally high formation pressures in the Potwar Plateau of north-central Pakistan are major obstacles to oil and gas exploration. Severe drilling problems associated with high pressures have, in some cases, prevented adequate evaluation of reservoirs and significantly increased drilling costs. Previous investigations of abnormal pressure in the Potwar Plateau have only identified abnormal pressures in Neogene rocks. We have identified two distinct pressure regimes in this Himalayan foreland fold and thrust belt basin: one in Neogene rocks and another in pre-Neogene rocks. Pore pressures in Neogene rocks are as high as lithostatic and are interpreted to be due to tectonic compression and compaction disequilibrium associated with high rates of sedimentation. Pore pressure gradients in pre-Neogene rocks are generally less than those in Neogene rocks, commonly ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 psi/ft (11.3 to 15.8 kPa/m) and are most likely due to a combination of tectonic compression and hydrocarbon generation. The top of abnormally high pressure is highly variable and doesn't appear to be related to any specific lithologic seal. Consequently, attempts to predict the depth to the top of overpressure prior to drilling are precluded.

Characterization of excess pore pressures at the toe of the Nankai accretionary complex, Ocean Drilling Program sites 1173, 1174, and 808: Results of one-dimensional modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gamage, K.; Screaton, E.

2006-04-01

Elevated fluid pore pressures play a critical role in the development of accretionary complexes, including the development of the décollement zone. In this study, we used measured permeabilities of core samples from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 190 to develop a permeability-porosity relationship for hemipelagic sediments at the toe of the Nankai accretionary complex. This permeability-porosity relationship was used in a one-dimensional loading and fluid flow model to simulate excess pore pressures and porosities. Simulated excess pore pressure ratios (as a fraction of lithostatic pressure-hydrostatic pressure) using the best fit permeability-porosity relationship were lower than predicted from previous studies. We then tested sensitivity of excess pore pressure ratios in the underthrust sediments to bulk permeability, lateral stress in the prism, and a hypothetical low-permeability barrier at the décollement. Our results demonstrated significant increase in pore pressures below the décollement with lower bulk permeability, such as obtained by using the lower boundary of permeability-porosity data, or when a low-permeability barrier is added at the décollement. In contrast, pore pressures in the underthrust sediments demonstrated less sensitivity to added lateral stresses in the prism, although the profile of the excess pore pressure ratio is affected. Both simulations with lateral stress and a low-permeability barrier at the décollement resulted in sharp increases in porosity at the décollement, similar to that observed in measured porosities. Furthermore, in both scenarios, maximum excess pore pressure ratios were found at the décollement, suggesting that either of these factors would contribute to stable sliding along the décollement.

Effect of gas hydrates melting on seafloor slope stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sultan, N.; Cochonat, P.; Foucher, J. P.; Mienert, J.; Haflidason, H.; Sejrup, H. P.

2003-04-01

Quantitative studies of kinetics of gas hydrate formation and dissociation is of a particular concern to the petroleum industry for an evaluation of environmental hazards in deep offshore areas. Gas hydrate dissociation can generate excess pore pressure that considerably decreases the strength of the soil. In this paper, we present a theoretical study of the thermodynamic chemical equilibrium of gas hydrate in soil, which is based on models previously reported by Handa (1989), Sloan (1998) and Henry (1999). Our study takes into account the influence of temperature, pressure, pore water chemistry, and the pore size distribution of the sediment. This model fully accounts for the latent heat effects, as done by Chaouch and Briaud (1997) and Delisle et al. (1998). It uses a new formulation based on the enthalpy form of the law of conservation of energy. The model allows for the evaluation of the excess pore pressure generated during gas hydrate dissociation using the Soave’s (1972) equation of state. Fluid flow in response to the excess pore pressure is simulated using the finite element method. In the second part of the paper, we present and discuss an application of the model through a back-analysis of the case of the giant Storegga slide on the Norwegian margin. Two of the most important changes during and since the last deglaciation (hydrostatic pressure due to the change of the sea level and the increase of the sea water temperature) were considered in the calculation. Simulation results are presented and discussed. Chaouch, A., &Briaud, J.-L., 1997. Post melting behavior of gas hydrates in soft ocean sediments, OTC-8298, in 29th offshore technology conference proceedings, v. 1, Geology, earth sciences and environmental factors: Society of Petroleum Engineers, p. 217-224. Delisle, G.; Beiersdorf, H.; Neben, S.; Steinmann, D., 1998. The geothermal field of the North Sulawesi accretionary wedge and a model on BSR migration in unstable depositional environments. in Henriet, J.-P.; Mienert, J. (Ed.): Gas hydrates: relevance to world margin stability and climate change. Geological Society Special Publication, 137. The Geological Society: London, UK, p. 267-274. Handa,Y.P., 1989. Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure and Salinity on the Stability of Gas Hydrates. J.Phys.Chem., Vol.94, p.2652-2657. Henry, P., Thomas, M.; Clennell, M.B., 1999. Formation of Natural Gas Hydrates in Marine Sediments 2. Thermodynamic Calculations of Stability Conditions in Porous Sediments,” J. Geophys. Res., 104, p. 23005. Sloan, E.D. Jr., 1998. Clathrate hydrates of natural gases. Marcel Dekker Inc., 2nd edition, New York, pp. 705. Soave G, 1972. Equilibrium

Effects of intermediate wettability on entry capillary pressure in angular pores.

PubMed

Rabbani, Harris Sajjad; Joekar-Niasar, Vahid; Shokri, Nima

2016-07-01

Entry capillary pressure is one of the most important factors controlling drainage and remobilization of the capillary-trapped phases as it is the limiting factor against the two-phase displacement. It is known that the entry capillary pressure is rate dependent such that the inertia forces would enhance entry of the non-wetting phase into the pores. More importantly the entry capillary pressure is wettability dependent. However, while the movement of a meniscus into a strongly water-wet pore is well-defined, the invasion of a meniscus into a weak or intermediate water-wet pore especially in the case of angular pores is ambiguous. In this study using OpenFOAM software, high-resolution direct two-phase flow simulations of movement of a meniscus in a single capillary channel are performed. Interface dynamics in angular pores under drainage conditions have been simulated under constant flow rate boundary condition at different wettability conditions. Our results shows that the relation between the half corner angle of pores and contact angle controls the temporal evolution of capillary pressure during the invasion of a pore. By deviating from pure water-wet conditions, a dip in the temporal evolution of capillary pressure can be observed which will be pronounced in irregular angular cross sections. That enhances the pore invasion with a smaller differential pressure. The interplay between the contact angle and pore geometry can have significant implications for enhanced remobilization of ganglia in intermediate contact angles in real porous media morphologies, where pores are very heterogeneous with small shape factors. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mitochondrial complex I and NAD(P)H oxidase are major sources of exacerbated oxidative stress in pressure-overloaded ischemic-reperfused hearts.

PubMed

Mozaffari, Mahmood S; Baban, Babak; Liu, Jun Yao; Abebe, Worku; Sullivan, Jennifer C; El-Marakby, Ahmed

2011-03-01

We tested the hypothesis that pressure overload exacerbates oxidative stress associated with augmented mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore opening and cell death in ischemic-reperfused hearts. Pressure overload decreased the level of reduced glutathione but increased nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels in ischemic-reperfused hearts. The activity of catalase, but not superoxide dismutase (SOD), was lower in ischemic-reperfused hearts perfused at higher pressure. Mitochondria from ischemic-reperfused hearts subjected to higher perfusion pressure displayed significantly greater [³H]-2-deoxyglucose-6-P entrapment suggestive of greater MPT pore opening and consistent with greater necrosis and apoptosis. Tempol (SOD mimetic) reduced infarct size in both groups but it remained greater in the higher pressure group. By contrast, uric acid (peroxynitrite scavenger) markedly reduced infarct size at higher pressure, effectively eliminating the differential between the two groups. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase, with allopurinol, reduced infarct size but did not eliminate the differential between the two groups. However, amobarbital (inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I) or apocynin [inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase] reduced infarct size at both pressures and also abrogated the differential between the two groups. Consistent with the effect of apocynin, pressure-overloaded hearts displayed significantly higher NAD(P)H oxidase activity. Furthermore, pressure-overloaded hearts displayed increased nitric oxide synthase activity which, along with increased propensity to superoxide generation, may underlie uric acid-induced cardioprotection. In conclusion, increased oxidative and nitrosative stress, coupled with lack of augmented SOD and catalase activities, contributes importantly to the exacerbating impact of pressure overload on MPT pore opening and cell death in ischemic-reperfused hearts.

How Pore-Fluid Pressure due to Heavy Rainfall Influences Volcanic Eruptions, Example of 1998 and 2008 Eruptions of Cerro Azul (Galapagos)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albino, F.; Amelung, F.; Gregg, P. M.

2016-12-01

About 30 worldwide seismic studies have shown a strong correlation between rainfall and earthquakes in the past 22 years (e.g. Costain and Bollinger, 2010). Such correlation has been explained by the phenomenon of hydro-seismicity via pore pressure diffusion: an increase of pore-fluid in the upper crust reduces the normal stress on faults, which can trigger shear failure. Although this pore pressure effect is widely known for earthquakes, this phenomenon and more broadly poro-elasticity process are not widely studied on volcanoes. However, we know from our previous works that tensile failures that open to propagate magma through the surface are also pore pressure dependent. We have demonstrated that an increase of pore pressure largely reduces the overpressure required to rupture the magma reservoir. We have shown that the pore pressure has more influence on reservoir stability than other parameters such as the reservoir depth or the edifice loading. Here, we investigate how small pore-fluid changes due to hydrothermal or aquifer refill during heavy rainfall may perturb the conditions of failure around magma reservoirs and, what is more, if these perturbations are enough to trigger magma intrusions. We quantify the pore pressure effect on magmatic system by combining 1) 1D pore pressure diffusion model to quantify how pore pressure changes from surface to depth after heavy rainfall events and 2) 2D poro-elastic numerical model to provide the evolution of failure conditions of the reservoir as a consequence of these pore pressure changes. Sensitivity analysis is also performed to characterize the influence on our results of the poro-elastic parameters (hydraulic diffusivity, permeability and porosity) and the geometry of the magma reservoir and the aquifer (depth, size, shape). Finally, we apply our methodology to Cerro Azul volcano (Galapagos) where both last eruptions (1998 and 2008) occurred just after heavy rainfall events, without any pre-eruptive inflation. In the event eruptions can be triggered by pore pressure changes in the crust, meteorological records and water table measurements are required to improve eruption's forecast, especially in regions where heavy rainfall events (typhoons, monsoons or hurricanes) frequently occur, such as in Indonesia, Philippines or Central America.

Mechanism of sand slide - cold lahar induced by extreme rainfall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuoka, Hiroshi; Yamada, Masumi; Dok, Atitkagna

2014-05-01

Along with the increasing frequencies of extreme rainfall events in almost every where on the earth, shallow slide - debris flow, i.e. cold lahars running long distance often occurs and claims downslope residents lives. In the midnight of 15 October 2013, Typhoon Wilpha attacked the Izu-Oshima, a active volcanic Island and the extreme rainfall of more than 800 mm / 24 hours was recorded. This downpour of more than 80 mm/hr lasted 4 hours at its peak and caused a number of cold lahars. The initial stage of those lahars was shallow slides of surface black volcanic ash deposits, containing mostly fine sands. The thickness was only 50 cm - 1 m. In the reconnaissance investigation, author found that the sliding surface was the boundary of two separate volcanic ash layers between the black and yellow colored and apparently showing contrast of permeability and hardness. Permeability contrast may have contributed to generation of excess pore pressure on the border and trigger the slide. Then, the unconsolidated, unpacked mass was easily fluidized and transformed into mud flows, that which volcanologists call cold lahars. Seismometers installed for monitoring the active volcano's activities, succeeded to detect many tremors events. Many are spikes but 5 larger and longer events were extracted. They lasted 2 -3 minutes and if we assume that this tremors reflects the runout movement, then we can calculate the mean velocity of the lahars. Estimated velocity was 45 - 60 km/h, which is much higher than the average speed 30 - 40 km/h of debris flows observed in Japan. Flume tests of volcanic ash flows by the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute showed the wet volcanic ash can run at higher speed than other materials. The two tremor records were compare d with the local residents witnessed and confirmed by newspaper reported that the reach of the lahar was observed at the exact time when tremor ends. We took the black volcanic ash and conducted ring shear tests to reveal the mechanism of rapid motion. In the undrained or partially drained tests under pore water pressure test, monotonic loading of shear stress, and constant shear speed conditions, we found that immediately after failure takes place, a big excess pore pressure was generated and accelerating motions had stated in all cases. The reduced shear resistance thereafter was maintained because of the lasting high pore pressure. Even in the partially-drained test, we found once the pore pressure reached almost same with the normal stress and then gradually decreased due to dissipation. Those tests apparently shows that the high mobility and high acceleration of the motion are expected and this could be the key mechanism of the fluidization of initial shallow slides into sand flows, i.e., cold lahars. In the past ring shear test series on volcanic materials from fluidized landslides at El Picaccho of El Salvador, Mt Aso of Kumamto Prefecture, and Nagari Tandikat near Padang, Indonesia, show very similar trends. In all those cases, we expected serious grain crushing during shear, contributed to the generation of excess pore pressure, because those material are deposited recently (in geological time) and suffered no big overburden pressure which means no consolidation and no serious grain crushing ever before. So those volcanic materials are generally susceptible to crushing and expect high mobility when slides are initiated under fully saturated condition.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rostron, B.; Toth, J.

Lenticular reservoirs are accompanied by diagnostic pore-pressure anomalies when situated in a field of formation-fluid flow. Computer simulations have shown that these anomalies depend on the size and shape of the lens, the direction and intensity of flow, and the hydraulic conductivity contrast between the lens and the surrounding rock. Furthermore, the anomalies reflect the position of the petroleum-saturated portion of a lens since hydraulic conductivity is related to hydrocarbon content. Studies to date have shown that for an oil-free lens a pair of oppositely directed, symmetrical pressure anomalies exists. Each pair consists of a positive and a negative anomaly,more » respectively, at the downstream and upstream ends of the lens. A 2000-m long lens could generate a 200-kPa anomaly in a commonly occurring gravity-flow field. A lens that is filled with hydrocarbons will create a lower conductivity reservoir thus causing negative anomalies at the downstream and positive anomalies at the upstream ends of the lens. The paired anomaly for a partially full lens falls in between these two end members. Pore-pressure distributions from drill-stem tests in mature, well-explored regions can be compared to computer-simulated pore-pressure anomaly patterns. Results can be interpreted in terms of the lens geometry and degree of hydrocarbon saturation.« less

Numerical simulation on hydromechanical coupling in porous media adopting three-dimensional pore-scale model.

PubMed

Liu, Jianjun; Song, Rui; Cui, Mengmeng

2014-01-01

A novel approach of simulating hydromechanical coupling in pore-scale models of porous media is presented in this paper. Parameters of the sandstone samples, such as the stress-strain curve, Poisson's ratio, and permeability under different pore pressure and confining pressure, are tested in laboratory scale. The micro-CT scanner is employed to scan the samples for three-dimensional images, as input to construct the model. Accordingly, four physical models possessing the same pore and rock matrix characteristics as the natural sandstones are developed. Based on the micro-CT images, the three-dimensional finite element models of both rock matrix and pore space are established by MIMICS and ICEM software platform. Navier-Stokes equation and elastic constitutive equation are used as the mathematical model for simulation. A hydromechanical coupling analysis in pore-scale finite element model of porous media is simulated by ANSYS and CFX software. Hereby, permeability of sandstone samples under different pore pressure and confining pressure has been predicted. The simulation results agree well with the benchmark data. Through reproducing its stress state underground, the prediction accuracy of the porous rock permeability in pore-scale simulation is promoted. Consequently, the effects of pore pressure and confining pressure on permeability are revealed from the microscopic view.

Numerical Simulation on Hydromechanical Coupling in Porous Media Adopting Three-Dimensional Pore-Scale Model

PubMed Central

Liu, Jianjun; Song, Rui; Cui, Mengmeng

2014-01-01

A novel approach of simulating hydromechanical coupling in pore-scale models of porous media is presented in this paper. Parameters of the sandstone samples, such as the stress-strain curve, Poisson's ratio, and permeability under different pore pressure and confining pressure, are tested in laboratory scale. The micro-CT scanner is employed to scan the samples for three-dimensional images, as input to construct the model. Accordingly, four physical models possessing the same pore and rock matrix characteristics as the natural sandstones are developed. Based on the micro-CT images, the three-dimensional finite element models of both rock matrix and pore space are established by MIMICS and ICEM software platform. Navier-Stokes equation and elastic constitutive equation are used as the mathematical model for simulation. A hydromechanical coupling analysis in pore-scale finite element model of porous media is simulated by ANSYS and CFX software. Hereby, permeability of sandstone samples under different pore pressure and confining pressure has been predicted. The simulation results agree well with the benchmark data. Through reproducing its stress state underground, the prediction accuracy of the porous rock permeability in pore-scale simulation is promoted. Consequently, the effects of pore pressure and confining pressure on permeability are revealed from the microscopic view. PMID:24955384

Seasonal Effects on the Relationships Between Soil Water Content, Pore Water Pressure and Shear Strength and Their Implications for Slope Stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hughes, P. N.

2015-12-01

A soil's shear resistance is mainly dependent upon the magnitude of effective stress. For small to medium height slopes (up to 10m) in clay soils the total stress acting along potential failure planes will be low, therefore the magnitude of effective stress (and hence soil shear strength) will be dominated by the pore-water pressure. The stability of slopes on this scale through periods of increased precipitation is improved by the generation of negative pore pressures (soil suctions) during preceding, warmer, drier periods. These negative pore water pressures increase the effective stress within the soil and cause a corresponding increase in shearing resistance. The relationships between soil water content and pore water pressure (soil water retention curves) are known to be hysteretic, but for the purposes of the majority of slope stability assessments in partially saturated clay soils, these are assumed to be consistent with time. Similarly, the relationship between shear strength and water content is assumed to be consistent over time. This research presents a laboratory study in which specimens of compacted Glacial Till (typical of engineered slopes within the UK) were subjected to repeated cycles of wetting and drying to simulate seasonal cycles. At predetermined water contents, measurements of soil suction were made using tensiometer and dewpoint potentiometer methods. The undrained shear strength of the specimens was then measured using triaxial strength testing equipment. Results indicate that repeated wetting and drying cycles caused a change in the soil water retention behaviour. A reduction in undrained shear strength at corresponding water contents along the wetting and drying paths was also observed. The mechanism for the change in the relationship is believed to be a deterioration in the soil physical structure due to shrink/swell induced micro-cracking. The non-stationarity of these relationships has implications for slope stability assessment.

Detecting Pore Fluid Pressure Changes by Using the Vp/Vs Ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanorio, T.; Mavko, G.

2006-12-01

A central problem in studies aimed at predicting the dynamic behavior of faults is monitoring and quantifying fluid changes in areas prone to overpressure. Experimental and modeling studies show the Vp/Vs ratio to be a good determinant of the saturation state of a rock formation as well as of its inner pore pressure condition. Dectecting pore pressure changes depends, among other causes, on the reliability of laboratory data to calibrate the in-situ measured velocities. Ideally, laboratory experiments performed under controlled conditions would identify the fundamental mechanisms responsible for changes in the measured acoustic properties. However, technical limitations in the laboratory together with the assumptions driving the experimental and modeling approaches rise spouriuos mechanisms which hinder our present understanding of the actual role of high pore pressure on the elastic and poroelastic parameters. Critical issues unclude: a) the frequencies used in the laboratory are responsible for high-frequency fluid effects which induce velocity dispersion. As a result, both the effective stress parameter and velocities (and their pressure-dependence) estimated from high- frequency ultrasonic data are different from those applicable to crustal low frequency wave propagation; b) laboratory measurements made at dry, drained conditions are assumed to mimic those in gas pressured rocks. However, in dry, drained conditions, no pore pressure is exerted in the pore space, and the pore gas is infinitely compressible; c) when using room-dry, drained measurements as the baseline to model pressured rock formations, the unloading path (i.e. decreasing confining pressure) is supposed to mimic the inflationary path due to pore pressure increase. Doing so, it is assumed that the amount of crack opening due to pore pressure is equal to that of crack closure caused by the overburden stress and thus, the effective stress coefficient is implicitely assumed equal to 1. To minimize the assumptions and limitations described above, we designed a laboratory experiment which used gas as pore fluid medium. Experimental results show that in gas-pressured saturated rocks the Vp/Vs ratio, while remaining lower than values reported for liquid saturation conditions, increases with decreasing differential pressure, similarly to the trend observed in liquid saturated rocks.

Localized fluid discharge in subduction zones: Insights from tension veins around an ancient megasplay fault (Nobeoka Thrust, SW Japan)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otsubo, M.; Hardebeck, J.; Miyakawa, A.; Yamaguchi, A.; Kimura, G.

2017-12-01

Fluid-rock interactions along seismogenic faults are of great importance to understand fault mechanics. The fluid loss by the formation of mode I cracks (tension cracks) increases the fault strength and creates drainage asperities along the plate interface (Sibson, 2013, Tectonophysics). The Nobeoka Thrust, in southwestern Japan, is an on-land example of an ancient megasplay fault and provides an excellent record of deformation and fluid flow at seismogenic depths of a subduction zone (Kondo et al., 2005, Tectonics). We focus on (1) Pore fluid pressure loss, (2) Amount of fault strength recovery, and (3) Fluid circulation by the formation of mode I cracks in the post-seismic period around the fault zone of the Nobeoka Thrust. Many quartz veins that filled mode I crack at the coastal outcrops suggest a normal faulting stress regime after faulting of the Nobeoka Thrust (Otsubo et al., 2016, Island Arc). We estimated the decrease of the pore fluid pressure by the formation of the mode I cracks around the Nobeoka Thrust in the post-seismic period. When the pore fluid pressure exceeds σ3, veins filling mode I cracks are constructed (Jolly and Sanderson, 1997, Jour. Struct. Geol.). We call the pore fluid pressure that exceeds σ3 "pore fluid over pressure". The differential stress in the post-seismic period and the driving pore fluid pressure ratio P* (P* = (Pf - σ3) / (σ1 - σ3), Pf: pore fluid pressure) are parameters to estimate the pore fluid over pressure. In the case of the Nobeoka Thrust (P* = 0.4, Otsubo et al., 2016, Island Arc), the pore fluid over pressure is up to 20 MPa (assuming tensile strength = 10 MPa). 20 MPa is equivalent to <10% of the total pore fluid pressure around the Nobeoka Thrust (depth = 10 km, density = 2.7 kg/m3). When the pore fluid pressure decreases by 4%, the normalized pore pressure ratio λ* (λ* = (Pf - Ph) / (Pl - Ph), Pl: lithostatic pressure; Ph: hydrostatic pressure) changes from 0.95 to 0.86. In the case of the Nobeoka Thrust, the fault strength can increase by up to 10 MPa (assuming frictional coefficient = 0.6). 10 MPa is almost equivalent to the stress drop values in large trench type earthquakes. Hence, we suggest that the fluid loss caused by the formation of mode I cracks in the post-seismic period may play an important role by increasing frictional strength along the megasplay fault.

Machine learning framework for analysis of transport through complex networks in porous, granular media: A focus on permeability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Linden, Joost H.; Narsilio, Guillermo A.; Tordesillas, Antoinette

2016-08-01

We present a data-driven framework to study the relationship between fluid flow at the macroscale and the internal pore structure, across the micro- and mesoscales, in porous, granular media. Sphere packings with varying particle size distribution and confining pressure are generated using the discrete element method. For each sample, a finite element analysis of the fluid flow is performed to compute the permeability. We construct a pore network and a particle contact network to quantify the connectivity of the pores and particles across the mesoscopic spatial scales. Machine learning techniques for feature selection are employed to identify sets of microstructural properties and multiscale complex network features that optimally characterize permeability. We find a linear correlation (in log-log scale) between permeability and the average closeness centrality of the weighted pore network. With the pore network links weighted by the local conductance, the average closeness centrality represents a multiscale measure of efficiency of flow through the pore network in terms of the mean geodesic distance (or shortest path) between all pore bodies in the pore network. Specifically, this study objectively quantifies a hypothesized link between high permeability and efficient shortest paths that thread through relatively large pore bodies connected to each other by high conductance pore throats, embodying connectivity and pore structure.

Protein osmotic pressure gradients and microvascular reflection coefficients.

PubMed

Drake, R E; Dhother, S; Teague, R A; Gabel, J C

1997-08-01

Microvascular membranes are heteroporous, so the mean osmotic reflection coefficient for a microvascular membrane (sigma d) is a function of the reflection coefficient for each pore. Investigators have derived equations for sigma d based on the assumption that the protein osmotic pressure gradient across the membrane (delta II) does not vary from pore to pore. However, for most microvascular membranes, delta II probably does vary from pore to pore. In this study, we derived a new equation for sigma d. According to our equation, pore-to-pore differences in delta II increase the effect of small pores and decrease the effect of large pores on the overall membrane osmotic reflection coefficient. Thus sigma d for a heteroporous membrane may be much higher than previously derived equations indicate. Furthermore, pore-to-pore delta II differences increase the effect of plasma protein osmotic pressure to oppose microvascular fluid filtration.

A Three-Dimensional Pore-Scale Model for Non-Wetting Phase Mobilization with Ferrofluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, N.; Prodanovic, M.

2017-12-01

Ferrofluid, a stable dispersion of paramagnetic nanoparticles in water, can generate a distributed pressure difference across the phase interface in an immiscible two-phase flow under an external magnetic field. In water-wet porous media, this non-uniform pressure difference may be used to mobilize the non-wetting phase, e.g. oil, trapped in the pores. Previous numerical work by Soares et al. of two-dimensional single-pore model showed enhanced non-wetting phase recovery with water-based ferrofluid under certain magnetic field directions and decreased recovery under other directions. However, the magnetic field selectively concentrates in the high magnetic permeability ferrofluid which fills the small corners between the non-wetting phase and the solid wall. The magnetic field induced pressure is proportional to the square of local magnetic field strength and its normal component, and makes a significant impact on the non-wetting phase deformation. The two-dimensional model omitted the effect of most of these corners and is not sufficient to compute the magnetic-field-induced pressure difference or to predict the non-wetting blob deformation. Further, it is not clear that 3D effects on magnetic field in an irregular geometry can be approximated in 2D. We present a three-dimensional immiscible two-phase flow model to simulate the deformation of a non-wetting liquid blob in a single pore filled with a ferrofluid under a uniform external magnetic field. The ferrofluid is modeled as a uniform single phase because the nanoparticles are 104 times smaller than the pore. The open source CFD solver library OpenFOAM is used for the simulations based on the volume of fluid method. Simulations are performed in a converging-diverging channel model on different magnetic field direction, different initial oil saturations, and different pore shapes. Results indicate that the external magnetic field always stretches the non-wetting blob away from the solid channel wall. A magnetic field transverse to the channel direction may likely provide the best elongation along the channel direction for the non-wetting blob. The pore-throat size ratio has an impact on the deformation of the non-wetting blob.

Pore fluid pressure and the seismic cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

French, M. E.; Zhu, W.; Hirth, G.; Belzer, B.

2017-12-01

In the brittle crust, the critical shear stress required for fault slip decreases with increasing pore fluid pressures according to the effective stress criterion. As a result, higher pore fluid pressures are thought to promote fault slip and seismogenesis, consistent with observations that increasing fluid pressure as a result of wastewater injection is correlated with increased seismicity. On the other hand, elevated pore fluid pressure is also proposed to promote slow stable failure rather than seismicity along some fault zones, including during slow slip in subduction zones. Here we review recent experimental evidence for the roles that pore fluid pressure and the effective stress play in controlling fault slip behavior. Using two sets of experiments on serpentine fault gouge, we show that increasing fluid pressure does decrease the shear stress for reactivation under brittle conditions. However, under semi-brittle conditions as expected near the base of the seismogenic zone, high pore fluid pressures are much less effective at reducing the shear stress of reactivation even though deformation is localized and frictional. We use an additional study on serpentinite to show that cohesive fault rocks, potentially the product of healing and cementation, experience an increase in fracture energy during faulting as fluid pressures approach lithostatic, which can lead to more stable failure. Structural observations show that the increased fracture energy is associated with a greater intensity of transgranular fracturing and delocalization of deformation. Experiments on several lithologies indicate that the stabilizing effect of fluid pressure occurs independent of rock composition and hydraulic properties. Thus, high pore fluid pressures have the potential to either enhance seismicity or promote stable faulting depending on pressure, temperature, and fluid pressure conditions. Together, the results of these studies indicate that pore fluid pressure promotes seismogenesis in the brittle shallow crust where fluid pressures are elevated but sub-lithostatic and promote slow, stable failure near seismic to aseismic transitions and under near-lithostatic fluid pressures.

Pore pressure control on faulting behavior in a block-gouge system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Z.; Juanes, R.

2016-12-01

Pore fluid pressure in a fault zone can be altered by natural processes (e.g., mineral dehydration and thermal pressurization) and industrial operations involving subsurface fluid injection/extraction for the development of energy and water resources. However, the effect of pore pressure change on the stability and slip motion of a preexisting geologic fault remain poorly understood; yet they are critical for the assessment of seismic risk. In this work, we develop a micromechanical model to investigate the effect of pore pressure on faulting behavior. The model couples pore network fluid flow and mechanics of the solid grains. We conceptualize the fault zone as a gouge layer sandwiched between two blocks; the block material is represented by a group of contact-bonded grains and the gouge is composed of unbonded grains. A pore network is extracted from the particulate pack of the block-gouge system with pore body volumes and pore throat conductivities calculated rigorously based on the geometry of the local pore space. Pore fluid exerts pressure force onto the grains, the motion of which is solved using the discrete element method (DEM). The model updates the pore network regularly in response to deformation of the solid matrix. We study the fault stability in the presence of a pressure inhomogeneity (gradient) across the gouge layer, and compare it with the case of homogeneous pore pressure. We consider both normal and thrust faulting scenarios with a focus on the onset of shear failure along the block-gouge interfaces. Numerical simulations show that the slip behavior is characterized by intermittent dynamics, which is evident in the number of slipping contacts at the block-gouge interfaces and the total kinetic energy of the gouge particles. Numerical results also show that, for the case of pressure inhomogeneity, the onset of slip occurs earlier for the side with higher pressure, and that this onset appears to be controlled by the maximum pressure of both sides of the fault. We conclude that the stability of the fault should be evaluated separately for both sides of the gouge layer, a result that sheds new light on the use of the effective stress principle and the Coulomb failure criterion in evaluating the stability of a complex fault zone.

Effect of Loading Efficiency on the Process of Consolidation in Unsaturated Soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo, W. C.; Lee, J. W.; Deng, J. H.; Liu, J. H.

2016-12-01

Loading efficiency is an undrained poroelastic coefficient that causes an increase in the pore pressure due to an increase in the compressive axial stress. In order to illustrate the importance of loading efficiency on the process of consolidation in unsaturated soils, we utilize two assumptions proposed by Biot (1941) and Terzaghi (1943) to formulate the initial conditions taking account of loading efficiency and without consideration of loading efficiency, respectively. In Biot's theory (1941), he suggested that water is not allowed to escape when the external loading is instantly applied on a porous medium. Accordingly, the soil texture sample is considered to be undrained, and the linearized increment of the fluid content is equal to zero. For this reason, water and air can sustain an external loading only partially at the moment it is imposed, leading to an immediate one-dimensional consolidation. On the contrary, Terzaghi (1943) posited that as the external loading is initially applied, it is entirely sustained by the pore fluid. Thus, the initial water and air pressures are equal to the stress of external loading. Numerical calculations of excess pore water pressure and total settlement were made for a soil with clay texture as an illustrative example. A comparative study shows that in the early stage of consolidation, the model of considering loading efficiency generates larger time-dependent total settlement and also has the highest value of excess pore water pressure initially. The physical cause behind this difference is that the initial conditions established from Biot's theory is much smaller, reflecting the soil skeleton to carry most of external load at the moment it is imposed. Our results indicate that, in terms of the initial conditions for water and air pressures, the loading efficiency must be taken into account in the early stage of consolidation.

Preliminary Investigation on the Behavior of Pore Air Pressure During Rainfall Infiltration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashraf Mohamad Ismail, Mohd; Min, Ng Soon; Hasliza Hamzah, Nur; Hazreek Zainal Abidin, Mohd; Madun, Aziman; Tajudin, Saiful Azhar Ahmad

2018-04-01

This paper focused on the preliminary investigation of pore air pressure behaviour during rainfall infiltration in order to substantiate the mechanism of rainfall induced slope failure. The actual behaviour or pore air pressure during infiltration is yet to be clearly understood as it is regularly assumed as atmospheric. Numerical modelling of one dimensional (1D) soil column was utilized in this study to provide a preliminary insight of this highlighted uncertainty. Parametric study was performed by using rainfall intensities of 1.85 x 10-3m/s and 1.16 x 10-4m/s applied on glass beads to simulate intense and modest rainfall conditions. Analysis results show that the high rainfall intensity causes more development of pore air pressure compared to low rainfall intensity. This is because at high rainfall intensity, the rainwater cannot replace the pore air smoothly thus confining the pore air. Therefore, the effect of pore air pressure has to be taken into consideration particularly during heavy rainfall.

Effect of Stepwise Pressure Change on Porosity Evolution during Directional Solidification in Small Cylindrical Channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grugel, R.N.; Lee, C.P.; Cox, M.C.; Blandford, B.T.; Anilkumar, A.V.

2008-01-01

Controlled directional solidification experiments were performed in capillary channels, using nitrogen-saturated succinonitrile, to examine the effect of an in-situ stepwise processing pressure increase on an isolated pore evolution. Two experiments were performed using different processing pressure input profiles. The results indicate that a processing pressure increase has a transient effect on pore growth geometry characterized by an initial phase of decreasing pore diameter, followed by a recovery phase of increasing pore diameter. The experimental results also show that processing pressure can be used as a control parameter to either increase or terminate porosity formation. A theoretical model is introduced which indicates that the pore formation process is limited by the diffusion of solute-gas through the melt, and that the observed response toa pressure increase is attributed to the re-equilibration of solute concentration in the melt associated with the increased melt pressure.

Can the collapse of a fly ash heap develop into an air-fluidized flow? - Reanalysis of the Jupille accident (1961)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stilmant, Frédéric; Pirotton, Michel; Archambeau, Pierre; Erpicum, Sébastien; Dewals, Benjamin

2015-01-01

A fly ash heap collapse occurred in Jupille (Liege, Belgium) in 1961. The subsequent flow of fly ash reached a surprisingly long runout and had catastrophic consequences. Its unprecedented degree of fluidization attracted scientific attention. As drillings and direct observations revealed no water-saturated zone at the base of the deposits, scientists assumed an air-fluidization mechanism, which appeared consistent with the properties of the material. In this paper, the air-fluidization assumption is tested based on two-dimensional numerical simulations. The numerical model has been developed so as to focus on the most prominent processes governing the flow, with parameters constrained by their physical interpretation. Results are compared to accurate field observations and are presented for different stages in the model enhancement, so as to provide a base for a discussion of the relative influence of pore pressure dissipation and pore pressure generation. These results show that the apparently high diffusion coefficient that characterizes the dissipation of air pore pressures is in fact sufficiently low for an important degree of fluidization to be maintained during a flow of hundreds of meters.

Overpressure, Low Effective Stress, and Slope Failure in the Ursa Region, Deep-Water Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawyer, D. E.; Flemings, P. B.

2004-12-01

Slope failures are associated with overpressured pore fluids and low effective stresses in the Quaternary strata of the Ursa Region, deep-water Gulf of Mexico. At Ursa, a permeable turbidite sandstone (the Blue Unit) is overlain by a low-permeability mudstone. Overpressure in the mudstone, measured with a pore pressure penetrometer (piezoprobe), begin within a few meters of the seafloor and extend 250-450 meters down to the Blue Unit. The overpressure ratio (λ *=(Pp-Phydrostatic)\\ (Sv-Phydrostatic), where Sv is the overburden stress, Pp is pore pressure, and Phydrostatic is the hydrostatic pressure) ranges from 0.8 where the overburden is thin to 0.4 where the overburden is thick. Detachment surfaces, mapped with high resolution 3D seismic data, are associated with zones where effective stresses are low. Four subsurface slumps were mapped and are oriented generally northwest-southeast. Slump surface areas are less than 250 km2 and maximum scarp-wall height on the largest slide is ˜120 meters. We interpret that asymmetric loading of the Blue Unit by low-permeable mudstone has driven fluids to where overburden is thin, decreased effective stress, and generated slope instability.

Porous graphene-based membranes for water purification from metal ions at low differential pressures.

PubMed

Park, Jaewoo; Bazylewski, Paul; Fanchini, Giovanni

2016-05-14

A new generation of membranes for water purification based on weakly oxidized and nanoporous few-layer graphene is here introduced. These membranes dramatically decrease the high energy requirements of water purification by reverse osmosis. They combine the advantages of porous and non-oxidized single-layer graphene, offering energy-efficient water filtration at relatively low differential pressures, and highly oxidized graphene oxide, exhibiting high performance in terms of impurity adsorption. In the reported fabrication process, leaks between juxtaposed few-layer graphene flakes are sealed by thermally annealed colloidal silica, in a treatment that precedes the opening of (sub)nanometre-size pores in graphene. This process, explored for the first time in this work, results in nanoporous graphene flakes that are water-tight at the edges without occluding the (sub)nanopores. With this method, removal of impurities from water occurs through a combination of size-based pore rejection and pore-edge adsorption. Thinness of graphene flakes allows these membranes to achieve water purification from metal ions in concentrations of few parts-per-million at differential pressures as low as 30 kPa, outperforming existing graphene or graphene oxide purification systems with comparable flow rates.

Porous graphene-based membranes for water purification from metal ions at low differential pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jaewoo; Bazylewski, Paul; Fanchini, Giovanni

2016-05-01

A new generation of membranes for water purification based on weakly oxidized and nanoporous few-layer graphene is here introduced. These membranes dramatically decrease the high energy requirements of water purification by reverse osmosis. They combine the advantages of porous and non-oxidized single-layer graphene, offering energy-efficient water filtration at relatively low differential pressures, and highly oxidized graphene oxide, exhibiting high performance in terms of impurity adsorption. In the reported fabrication process, leaks between juxtaposed few-layer graphene flakes are sealed by thermally annealed colloidal silica, in a treatment that precedes the opening of (sub)nanometre-size pores in graphene. This process, explored for the first time in this work, results in nanoporous graphene flakes that are water-tight at the edges without occluding the (sub)nanopores. With this method, removal of impurities from water occurs through a combination of size-based pore rejection and pore-edge adsorption. Thinness of graphene flakes allows these membranes to achieve water purification from metal ions in concentrations of few parts-per-million at differential pressures as low as 30 kPa, outperforming existing graphene or graphene oxide purification systems with comparable flow rates.

Predicting Stress vs. Strain Behaviors of Thin-Walled High Pressure Die Cast Magnesium Alloy with Actual Pore Distribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choi, Kyoo Sil; Barker, Erin; Cheng, Guang

2016-01-06

In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) microstructure-based finite element modeling method (i.e., extrinsic modeling method) is developed, which can be used in examining the effects of porosity on the ductility/fracture of Mg castings. For this purpose, AM60 Mg tensile samples were generated under high-pressure die-casting in a specially-designed mold. Before the tensile test, the samples were CT-scanned to obtain the pore distributions within the samples. 3D microstructure-based finite element models were then developed based on the obtained actual pore distributions of the gauge area. The input properties for the matrix material were determined by fitting the simulation result to themore » experimental result of a selected sample, and then used for all the other samples’ simulation. The results show that the ductility and fracture locations predicted from simulations agree well with the experimental results. This indicates that the developed 3D extrinsic modeling method may be used to examine the influence of various aspects of pore sizes/distributions as well as intrinsic properties (i.e., matrix properties) on the ductility/fracture of Mg castings.« less

A unified approach to fluid-flow, geomechanical, and seismic modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yarushina, Viktoriya; Minakov, Alexander

2016-04-01

The perturbations of pore pressure can generate seismicity. This is supported by observations from human activities that involve fluid injection into rocks at high pressure (hydraulic fracturing, CO2 storage, geothermal energy production) and natural examples such as volcanic earthquakes. Although the seismic signals that emerge during geotechnical operations are small both in amplitude and duration when compared to natural counterparts. A possible explanation for the earthquake source mechanism is based on a number of in situ stress measurements suggesting that the crustal rocks are close to its plastic yield limit. Hence, a rapid increase of the pore pressure decreases the effective normal stress, and, thus, can trigger seismic shear deformation. At the same time, little attention has been paid to the fact that the perturbation of fluid pressure itself represents an acoustic source. Moreover, non-double-couple source mechanisms are frequently reported from the analysis of microseismicity. A consistent formulation of the source mechanism describing microseismic events should include both a shear and isotropic component. Thus, improved understanding of the interaction between fluid flow and seismic deformation is needed. With this study we aim to increase the competence in integrating real-time microseismic monitoring with geomechanical modelling such that there is a feedback loop between monitored deformation and stress field modelling. We propose fully integrated seismic, geomechanical and reservoir modelling. Our mathematical formulation is based on fundamental set of force balance, mass balance, and constitutive poro-elastoplastic equations for two-phase media consisting of deformable solid rock frame and viscous fluid. We consider a simplified 1D modelling setup for consistent acoustic source and wave propagation in poro-elastoplastic media. In this formulation the seismic wave is generated due to local changes of the stress field and pore pressure induced by e.g. fault generation or strain localization. This approach gives unified framework to characterize microseismicity of both class-I (pressure induced) and class-II (stress triggered) type of events. We consider two modelling setups. In the first setup the event is located within the reservoir and associated with pressure/stress drop due to fracture initiation. In the second setup we assume that seismic wave from a distant source hits a reservoir. The unified formulation of poro-elastoplastic deformation allows us to link the macroscopic stresses to local seismic instability.

Geomorphology, stability and mobility of the Currituck slide

USGS Publications Warehouse

Locat, J.; Lee, H.; ten Brink, Uri S.; Twichell, D.; Geist, E.; Sansoucy, M.

2009-01-01

Over the last 100,000??years, the U.S. Atlantic continental margin has experienced various types of mass movements some of which are believed to have taken place at times of low sea level. At one of these times of low sea level a significant trigger caused a major submarine mass movement off the coast of Virginia: the Currituck slide which is believed to have taken place between 24 and 50??ka ago. This slide removed a total volume of about 165??km3 from this section of the continental slope. The departure zone still shows a very clean surface that dips at 4?? and is only covered by a thin veneer of postglacial sediment. Multibeam bathymetric and seismic survey data suggest that this slide took place along three failures surfaces. The morphology of the source area suggests that the sediments were already at least normally consolidated at the time of failure. The slide debris covers an area as much as 55??km wide that extends 180??km from the estimated toe of the original slope. The back analysis of slide initiation indicates that very high pore pressure, a strong earthquake, or both had to be generated to trigger slides on such a low failure plane angle. The shape of the failure plane, the fact that the surface is almost clear of any debris, and the mobility analysis, all support the argument that the slides took place nearly simultaneously. Potential causes for the generation of high pore pressures could be seepage forces from coastal aquifers, delta construction and related pore pressure generation due to the local sediment loading, gas hydrates, and earthquakes. This slide, and its origin, is a spectacular example of the potential threat that submarine mass movements can pose to the US Atlantic coast and underline the need to further assess the potential for the generation of such large slides, like the Grand Banks 1927 landslide of similar volume. ?? 2008 Elsevier B.V.

HPHT reservoir evolution: a case study from Jade and Judy fields, Central Graben, UK North Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

di Primio, Rolando; Neumann, Volkmar

2008-09-01

3D basin modelling of a study area in Quadrant 30, UK North Sea was performed in order to elucidate the burial, thermal, pressure and hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation history in the Jurassic and Triassic high pressure high temperature sequences. Calibration data, including reservoir temperatures, pressures, petroleum compositional data, vitrinite reflectance profiles and published fluid inclusion data were used to constrain model predictions. The comparison of different pressure generating processes indicated that only when gas generation is taken into account as a pressure generating mechanism, both the predicted present day as well as palaeo-pressure evolution matches the available calibration data. Compositional modelling of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation also reproduced present and palaeo bulk fluid properties such as the reservoir fluid gas to oil ratios. The reconstruction of the filling histories of both reservoirs indicates that both were first charged around 100 Ma ago and contained initially a two-phase system in which gas dominated volumetrically. Upon burial reservoir fluid composition evolved to higher GORs and became undersaturated as a function of increasing pore pressure up to the present day situation. Our results indicate that gas compositions must be taken into account when calculating the volumetric effect of gas generation on overpressure.

Pore-scale simulations of drainage in granular materials: Finite size effects and the representative elementary volume

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Chao; Chareyre, Bruno; Darve, Félix

2016-09-01

A pore-scale model is introduced for two-phase flow in dense packings of polydisperse spheres. The model is developed as a component of a more general hydromechanical coupling framework based on the discrete element method, which will be elaborated in future papers and will apply to various processes of interest in soil science, in geomechanics and in oil and gas production. Here the emphasis is on the generation of a network of pores mapping the void space between spherical grains, and the definition of local criteria governing the primary drainage process. The pore space is decomposed by Regular Triangulation, from which a set of pores connected by throats are identified. A local entry capillary pressure is evaluated for each throat, based on the balance of capillary pressure and surface tension at equilibrium. The model reflects the possible entrapment of disconnected patches of the receding wetting phase. It is validated by a comparison with drainage experiments. In the last part of the paper, a series of simulations are reported to illustrate size and boundary effects, key questions when studying small samples made of spherical particles be it in simulations or experiments. Repeated tests on samples of different sizes give evolution of water content which are not only scattered but also strongly biased for small sample sizes. More than 20,000 spheres are needed to reduce the bias on saturation below 0.02. Additional statistics are generated by subsampling a large sample of 64,000 spheres. They suggest that the minimal sampling volume for evaluating saturation is one hundred times greater that the sampling volume needed for measuring porosity with the same accuracy. This requirement in terms of sample size induces a need for efficient computer codes. The method described herein has a low algorithmic complexity in order to satisfy this requirement. It will be well suited to further developments toward coupled flow-deformation problems in which evolution of the microstructure require frequent updates of the pore network.

Deformation of volcanic materials by pore pressurization: analog experiments with simplified geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hyman, David; Bursik, Marcus

2018-03-01

The pressurization of pore fluids plays a significant role in deforming volcanic materials; however, understanding of this process remains incomplete, especially scenarios accompanying phreatic eruptions. Analog experiments presented here use a simple geometry to study the mechanics of this type of deformation. Syrup was injected into the base of a sand medium, simulating the permeable flow of fluids through shallow volcanic systems. The experiments examined surface deformation over many source depths and pressures. Surface deformation was recorded using a Microsoft® Kinect™ sensor, generating high-spatiotemporal resolution lab-scale digital elevation models (DEMs). The behavior of the system is controlled by the ratio of pore pressure to lithostatic loading (λ =p/ρ g D). For λ <10, deformation was accommodated by high-angle, reversed-mechanism shearing along which fluid preferentially flowed, leading to a continuous feedback between deformation and pressurization wherein higher pressure ratios yielded larger deformations. For λ >10, fluid expulsion from the layer was much faster, vertically fracturing to the surface with larger pressure ratios yielding less deformation. The temporal behavior of deformation followed a characteristic evolution that produced an approximately exponential increase in deformation with time until complete layer penetration. This process is distinguished from magmatic sources in continuous geodetic data by its rapidity and characteristic time evolution. The time evolution of the experiments compares well with tilt records from Mt. Ontake, Japan, in the lead-up to the deadly 2014 phreatic eruption. Improved understanding of this process may guide the evolution of magmatic intrusions such as dikes, cone sheets, and cryptodomes and contribute to caldera resurgence or deformation that destabilizes volcanic flanks.

Two innovative pore pressure calculation methods for shallow deep-water formations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Song; Fan, Honghai; Liu, Yuhan; He, Yanfeng; Zhang, Shifeng; Yang, Jing; Fu, Lipei

2017-11-01

There are many geological hazards in shallow formations associated with oil and gas exploration and development in deep-water settings. Abnormal pore pressure can lead to water flow and gas and gas hydrate accumulations, which may affect drilling safety. Therefore, it is of great importance to accurately predict pore pressure in shallow deep-water formations. Experience over previous decades has shown, however, that there are not appropriate pressure calculation methods for these shallow formations. Pore pressure change is reflected closely in log data, particularly for mudstone formations. In this paper, pore pressure calculations for shallow formations are highlighted, and two concrete methods using log data are presented. The first method is modified from an E. Philips test in which a linear-exponential overburden pressure model is used. The second method is a new pore pressure method based on P-wave velocity that accounts for the effect of shallow gas and shallow water flow. Afterwards, the two methods are validated using case studies from two wells in the Yingqiong basin. Calculated results are compared with those obtained by the Eaton method, which demonstrates that the multi-regression method is more suitable for quick prediction of geological hazards in shallow layers.

System and method for generating and/or screening potential metal-organic frameworks

DOEpatents

Wilmer, Christopher E; Leaf, Michael; Snurr, Randall Q; Farha, Omar K; Hupp, Joseph T

2015-04-21

A system and method for systematically generating potential metal-organic framework (MOFs) structures given an input library of building blocks is provided herein. One or more material properties of the potential MOFs are evaluated using computational simulations. A range of material properties (surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, powder x-ray diffraction pattern, methane adsorption capability, and the like) can be estimated, and in doing so, illuminate unidentified structure-property relationships that may only have been recognized by taking a global view of MOF structures. In addition to identifying structure-property relationships, this systematic approach to identify the MOFs of interest is used to identify one or more MOFs that may be useful for high pressure methane storage.

System and method for generating and/or screening potential metal-organic frameworks

DOEpatents

Wilmer, Christopher E; Leaf, Michael; Snurr, Randall Q; Farha, Omar K; Hupp, Joseph T

2014-12-02

A system and method for systematically generating potential metal-organic framework (MOFs) structures given an input library of building blocks is provided herein. One or more material properties of the potential MOFs are evaluated using computational simulations. A range of material properties (surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, powder x-ray diffraction pattern, methane adsorption capability, and the like) can be estimated, and in doing so, illuminate unidentified structure-property relationships that may only have been recognized by taking a global view of MOF structures. In addition to identifying structure-property relationships, this systematic approach to identify the MOFs of interest is used to identify one or more MOFs that may be useful for high pressure methane storage.

Effect of Processing Pressure on Isolated Pore Formation during Controlled Directional Solidification in Small Channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cox, Matthew C.; Anilkumar, Amrutur V.; Grugel, RIchard N.; Lee, Chun P.

2008-01-01

Directional solidification experiments were performed, using succinonitrile saturated with nitrogen gas, to examine the effects of in-situ processing pressure changes on the formation growth, and evolution of an isolated, cylindrical gaseous pore. A novel solidification facility, capable of processing thin cylindrical samples (I.D. < 1.0 mm), under controlled pressure conditions, was used for the experiments. A new experimental method for growing the isolated pore from a seed bubble is introduced. The experimental results indicate that an in-situ processing pressure change will result in either a transient change in pore diameter or a complete termination of pore growth, indicating that pressure changes can be used as a control parameter to terminate bubble growth. A simple analytical model has been introduced to explain the experimental observations.

Programmable assembly of pressure sensors using pattern-forming bacteria.

PubMed

Cao, Yangxiaolu; Feng, Yaying; Ryser, Marc D; Zhu, Kui; Herschlag, Gregory; Cao, Changyong; Marusak, Katherine; Zauscher, Stefan; You, Lingchong

2017-11-01

Biological systems can generate microstructured materials that combine organic and inorganic components and possess diverse physical and chemical properties. However, these natural processes in materials fabrication are not readily programmable. Here, we use a synthetic-biology approach to assemble patterned materials. We demonstrate programmable fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) materials by printing engineered self-patterning bacteria on permeable membranes that serve as a structural scaffold. Application of gold nanoparticles to the colonies creates hybrid organic-inorganic dome structures. The dynamics of the dome structures' response to pressure is determined by their geometry (colony size, dome height, and pattern), which is easily modified by varying the properties of the membrane (e.g., pore size and hydrophobicity). We generate resettable pressure sensors that process signals in response to varying pressure intensity and duration.

Thermally-driven Coupled THM Processes in Shales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutqvist, J.

2017-12-01

Temperature changes can trigger strongly coupled thermal-hydrological-mechanical (THM) processes in shales that are important to a number of subsurface energy applications, including geologic nuclear waste disposal and hydrocarbon extraction. These coupled processes include (1) direct pore-volume couplings, by thermal expansion of trapped pore-fluid that triggers instantaneous two-way couplings between pore fluid pressure and mechanical deformation, and (2) indirect couplings in terms of property changes, such as changes in mechanical stiffness, strength, and permeability. Direct pore-volume couplings have been studied in situ during borehole heating experiments in shale (or clay stone) formations at Mont Terri and Bure underground research laboratories in Switzerland and France. Typically, the temperature changes are accompanied with a rapid increase in pore pressure followed by a slower decrease towards initial (pre-heating) pore pressure. Coupled THM modeling of these heater tests shows that the pore pressure increases because the thermal expansion coefficient of the fluid is much higher than that of the porous clay stone. Such thermal pressurization induces fluid flow away from the pressurized area towards areas of lower pressure. The rate of pressure increase and magnitude of peak pressure depends on the rate of heating, pore-compressibility, and permeability of the shale. Modeling as well as laboratory experiments have shown that if the pore pressure increase is sufficiently large it could lead to fracturing of the shale or shear slip along pre-existing bedding planes. Another set of data and observations have been collected associated with studies related to concentrated heating and cooling of oil-shales and shale-gas formations. Heating may be used to enhance production from tight oil-shale, whereas thermal stimulation has been attempted for enhanced shale-gas extraction. Laboratory experiments on shale have shown that strength and elastic deformation modulus decreases with temperature while the rate creep deformations increase with temperature. Such temperature dependency also affects the well stability and zonal sealing across shale layers.

Solitary waves: a possible mechanism for rapid fluid transport in low permeability porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Appold, Martin; Joshi, Ajit

2014-05-01

Elastic porous media in which the rate of fluid pressure generation is high relative to the rate of fluid pressure diffusion and whose permeabilities are a sensitive function of effective stress may generate solitary waves manifest as discrete pulses of elevated pore pressure and porosity that can travel at velocities that are orders of magnitude greater than the velocities of the pore fluids in the background Darcian flow regime. Solitary waves may thus be important vehicles for fluid transport through porous media whose permeabilities are otherwise too low to allow significant rates of flow. Solitary waves have been hypothesized for diverse geologic settings and processes, including magmatic hydrothermal ore formation, magma transport, fault slip in accretionary wedges and at transform plate boundaries, and primary hydrocarbon migration in sedimentary basins. The present study has focused on solitary waves as agents of oil and methane transport through numerical simulation of their origin and behavior. The results show solitary waves to have limited capacity for transporting oil for several reasons: (1) the rate of fluid pressure generation by typical mechanisms like compaction disequilibrium and hydrocarbon formation is too low to allow solitary waves to form unless permeability is exceptionally low (10-24 to 10-25 m2), (2) solitary waves are only able to ascend no more than 1-2 km before dissipating to ambient pressure and porosity values, (3) the waves are too small and the frequency of their formation is too low to account for the amount of oil observed in the reservoirs that they have been hypothesized to feed. Solitary waves have been found to be more effective at transporting methane because of its lower density and viscosity compared to oil, provided that a mechanism for rapid pressure generation exists and permeabilities are very low. If those conditions exist, then solitary waves can ascend over two kilometers at rates on the order of 100's of meters per year compared to millimeters per year for solitary waves transporting oil.

The contribution of air-fluidization to the mobility of rapid flowslides involving fine particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stilmant, Frédéric; Dewals, Benjamin; Archambeau, Pierre; Erpicum, Sébastien; Pirotton, Michel

2016-04-01

Air-fluidization can be the origin of the long runout of gravitational flows involving fine particles such as ash. An excessive air pore pressure dramatically reduces the friction angle of the material as long as this pressure has not been dissipated, which occurs during the flow. This phenomenon can be modelled thanks to the 2D depth-averaged equations of mass and momentum conservation and an additional transport equation for basal pore pressure evolution (Iverson and Denlinger, 2001). In this contribution, we discuss the application of this model in relation to recent experimental results on air-fluidized flows by Roche et al. (2008) and Roche (2012). The experimental results were used to set a priori the value of the diffusion coefficient in the model, taking into account the difference of scale between the experiments and real-world applications. We also compare the model predictions against detailed observations of a well-documented historical event, the collapse of a fly-ash heap in Belgium (Stilmant et al., 2015). In particular, we analyse the influence of the different components of the model on the results (pore pressure dissipation vs. pore pressure generation). The diffusion coefficient which characterizes the dissipation of air pore pressure is found sufficiently low for maintaining a fluidized flow over hundreds of meters. The study concludes that an air-fluidization theory is consistent with the field observations. These findings are particularly interesting as they seem not in line with the mainstream acceptation in landslide modelling that air generally plays a secondary role (e.g., Legros, 2002). References Iverson, R.M., Denlinger, R.P., 2001. Flow of variably fluidized granular masses across three-dimensional terrain - 1. Coulomb mixture theory. J. Geophys. Res. 106, 537 552. Legros, F., 2002. The mobility of long-runout landslides. Eng. Geol. 63, 301-331. Roche, O., 2012. Depositional processes and gas pore pressure in pyroclastic flows: an experimental perspective. Bull. Volcanol. 74, 1807-1820. Roche, O., Montserrat, S., Niño, Y., Tamburrino, A., 2008. Experimental observations of water-like behavior of initially fluidized, dam break granular flows and their relevance for the propagation of ash-rich pyroclastic flows. J. Geophys. Res. 113, B12203. Stilmant, F., Pirotton, M., Archambeau, P., Erpicum, S., & Dewals, B. (2015). Can the collapse of a fly ash heap develop into an air-fluidized flow? - Reanalysis of the Jupille accident (1961). Geomorphology, 228, 746-755.

Thermal separation of soil particles from thermal conductivity measurement under various air pressures.

PubMed

Lu, Sen; Ren, Tusheng; Lu, Yili; Meng, Ping; Zhang, Jinsong

2017-01-05

The thermal conductivity of dry soils is related closely to air pressure and the contact areas between solid particles. In this study, the thermal conductivity of two-phase soil systems was determined under reduced and increased air pressures. The thermal separation of soil particles, i.e., the characteristic dimension of the pore space (d), was then estimated based on the relationship between soil thermal conductivity and air pressure. Results showed that under both reduced and increased air pressures, d estimations were significantly larger than the geometrical mean separation of solid particles (D), which suggested that conductive heat transfer through solid particles dominated heat transfer in dry soils. The increased air pressure approach gave d values lower than that of the reduced air pressure method. With increasing air pressure, more collisions between gas molecules and solid surface occurred in micro-pores and intra-aggregate pores due to the reduction of mean free path of air molecules. Compared to the reduced air pressure approach, the increased air pressure approach expressed more micro-pore structure attributes in heat transfer. We concluded that measuring thermal conductivity under increased air pressure procedures gave better-quality d values, and improved soil micro-pore structure estimation.

A molecular theory for optimal blue energy extraction by electrical double layer expansion

DOE PAGES

Kong, Xian; Gallegos, Alejandro; Lu, Diannan; ...

2015-08-19

We proposed the electrical double layer expansion (CDLE) as a promising alternative to reverse electrodialysis (RED) and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) processes for extracting osmotic power generated by the salinity difference between freshwater and seawater. The performance of the CDLE process is sensitive to the configuration of porous electrodes and operation parameters for ion extraction and release cycles. In our work, we use a classical density functional theory (CDFT) to examine how the electrode pore size and charging/discharging potentials influence the thermodynamic efficiency of the CDLE cycle. The existence of an optimal charging potential that maximizes the energy output formore » a given pore configuration is predicted, which varies substantially with the pore size, especially when it is smaller than 2 nm. Finally, the thermodynamic efficiency is maximized when the electrode has a pore size about twice the ion diameter.« less

Method of fabrication of supported liquid membranes

DOEpatents

Luebke, David R.; Hong, Lei; Myers, Christina R.

2015-11-17

Method for the fabrication of a supported liquid membrane having a dense layer in contact with a porous layer, and a membrane liquid layer within the interconnected pores of the porous layer. The dense layer is comprised of a solidified material having an average pore size less than or equal to about 0.1 nanometer, while the porous layer is comprised of a plurality of interconnected pores and has an average pore size greater than 10 nanometers. The supported liquid membrane is fabricated through the preparation of a casting solution of a membrane liquid and a volatile solvent. A pressure difference is established across the dense layer and porous layer, the casting solution is applied to the porous layer, and the low viscosity casting solution is drawn toward the dense layer. The volatile solvent is evaporated and the membrane liquid precipitates, generating a membrane liquid layer in close proximity to the dense layer.

Best Practices for Mudweight Window Generation and Accuracy Assessment between Seismic Based Pore Pressure Prediction Methodologies for a Near-Salt Field in Mississippi Canyon, Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mannon, Timothy Patrick, Jr.

Improving well design has and always will be the primary goal in drilling operations in the oil and gas industry. Oil and gas plays are continuing to move into increasingly hostile drilling environments, including near and/or sub-salt proximities. The ability to reduce the risk and uncertainly involved in drilling operations in unconventional geologic settings starts with improving the techniques for mudweight window modeling. To address this issue, an analysis of wellbore stability and well design improvement has been conducted. This study will show a systematic approach to well design by focusing on best practices for mudweight window projection for a field in Mississippi Canyon, Gulf of Mexico. The field includes depleted reservoirs and is in close proximity of salt intrusions. Analysis of offset wells has been conducted in the interest of developing an accurate picture of the subsurface environment by making connections between depth, non-productive time (NPT) events, and mudweights used. Commonly practiced petrophysical methods of pore pressure, fracture pressure, and shear failure gradient prediction have been applied to key offset wells in order to enhance the well design for two proposed wells. For the first time in the literature, the accuracy of the commonly accepted, seismic interval velocity based and the relatively new, seismic frequency based methodologies for pore pressure prediction are qualitatively and quantitatively compared for accuracy. Accuracy standards will be based on the agreement of the seismic outputs to pressure data obtained while drilling and petrophysically based pore pressure outputs for each well. The results will show significantly higher accuracy for the seismic frequency based approach in wells that were in near/sub-salt environments and higher overall accuracy for all of the wells in the study as a whole.

Conductance valve and pressure-to-conductance transducer method and apparatus

DOEpatents

Schoeniger, Joseph S.; Cummings, Eric B.; Brennan, James S.

2005-01-18

A device for interrupting or throttling undesired ionic transport through a fluid network is disclosed. The device acts as a fluid valve by reversibly generating a fixed "bubble" in the conducting solvent solution carried by the network. The device comprises a porous hydrophobic structure filling a portion of a connecting channel within the network and optionally incorporates flow restrictor elements at either end of the porous structure that function as pressure isolation barriers, and a fluid reservoir connected to the region of the channel containing the porous structure. Also included is a pressure pump connected to the fluid reservoir. The device operates by causing the pump to vary the hydraulic pressure to a quantity of solvent solution held within the reservoir and porous structure. At high pressures, most or all of the pores of the structure are filled with conducting liquid so the ionic conductance is high. At lower pressures, only a fraction of the pores are filled with liquid, so ionic conductivity is lower. Below a threshold pressure, the porous structure contains only vapor, so there is no liquid conduction path. The device therefore effectively throttles ionic transport through the porous structure and acts as a "conductance valve" or "pressure-to-conductance" transducer within the network.

Condensation in Nanoporous Packed Beds.

PubMed

Ally, Javed; Molla, Shahnawaz; Mostowfi, Farshid

2016-05-10

In materials with tiny, nanometer-scale pores, liquid condensation is shifted from the bulk saturation pressure observed at larger scales. This effect is called capillary condensation and can block pores, which has major consequences in hydrocarbon production, as well as in fuel cells, catalysis, and powder adhesion. In this study, high pressure nanofluidic condensation studies are performed using propane and carbon dioxide in a colloidal crystal packed bed. Direct visualization allows the extent of condensation to be observed, as well as inference of the pore geometry from Bragg diffraction. We show experimentally that capillary condensation depends on pore geometry and wettability because these factors determine the shape of the menisci that coalesce when pore filling occurs, contrary to the typical assumption that all pore structures can be modeled as cylindrical and perfectly wetting. We also observe capillary condensation at higher pressures than has been done previously, which is important because many applications involving this phenomenon occur well above atmospheric pressure, and there is little, if any, experimental validation of capillary condensation at such pressures, particularly with direct visualization.

Developing an Effective Model for Shale Gas Flow in Nano-scale Pore Clusters based on FIB-SEM Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, W. B.; Lin, M.; Yi, Z. X.; Li, H. S.

2016-12-01

Nano-scale pores existed in the form of clusters are the controlling void space in shale gas reservoir. Gas transport in nanopores which has a significant influence on shale gas' recoverability displays multiple transport regimes, including viscous, slippage flow and Knudsen diffusion. In addition, it is also influenced by pore space characteristics. For convenience and efficiency consideration, it is necessary to develop an upscaling model from nano pore to pore cluster scale. Existing models are more like framework functions that provide a format, because the parameters that represent pore space characteristics are underdetermined and may have multiple possibilities. Therefore, it is urgent to make them clear and obtained a model that is closer to reality. FIB-SEM imaging technology is able to acquire three dimensional images with nanometer resolution that nano pores can be visible. Based on the images of two shale samples, we used a high-precision pore network extraction algorithm to generate equivalent pore networks and simulate multiple regime (non-Darcy) flow in it. Several structural parameters can be obtained through pore network modelling. It is found that although the throat-radius distributions are very close, throat flux-radius distributions of different samples can be divided into two categories. The variation of tortuosity with pressure and the overall trend of throat-flux distribution changes with pressure are disclosed. A deeper understanding of shale gas flow in nano-scale pore clusters is obtained. After all, an upscaling model that connects absolute permeability, apparent permeability and other characteristic parameters is proposed, and the best parameter scheme considering throat number-radius distribution and flowing porosity for this model is selected out of three schemes based on pore scale results, and it can avoid multiple-solution problem and is useful in reservoir modelling and experiment result analysis, etc. This work is supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB10020302), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41574129), the Key Instrument Developing Project of the CAS (ZDYZ2012-1-08-02), the 973 Program (2014CB239004).

Characterization of pore structure in cement-based materials using pressurization-depressurization cycling mercury intrusion porosimetry (PDC-MIP)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhou Jian, E-mail: Jian.Zhou@tudelft.n; Ye Guang, E-mail: g.ye@tudelft.n; Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research, Department of Structural Engineering, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 904 B-9052, Ghent

2010-07-15

Numerous mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) studies have been carried out to investigate the pore structure in cement-based materials. However, the standard MIP often results in an underestimation of large pores and an overestimation of small pores because of its intrinsic limitation. In this paper, an innovative MIP method is developed in order to provide a more accurate estimation of pore size distribution. The new MIP measurements are conducted following a unique mercury intrusion procedure, in which the applied pressure is increased from the minimum to the maximum by repeating pressurization-depressurization cycles instead of a continuous pressurization followed by a continuousmore » depressurization. Accordingly, this method is called pressurization-depressurization cycling MIP (PDC-MIP). By following the PDC-MIP testing sequence, the volumes of the throat pores and the corresponding ink-bottle pores can be determined at every pore size. These values are used to calculate pore size distribution by using the newly developed analysis method. This paper presents an application of PDC-MIP on the investigation of the pore size distribution in cement-based materials. The experimental results of PDC-MIP are compared with those measured by standard MIP. The PDC-MIP is further validated with the other experimental methods and numerical tool, including nitrogen sorption, backscanning electron (BSE) image analysis, Wood's metal intrusion porosimetry (WMIP) and the numerical simulation by the cement hydration model HYMOSTRUC3D.« less

Earthquake-Induced Liquefaction of Confined Soil Zones: A Centrifuge Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-12-09

8217. 4.2 Pore pressure transducers (PPT) Pore pressures in the saturated soil were monitored by Druck PDCR 81 pore pressure transducers. This type of pore...PPT5406 -20 MTn-23.3 2 3 4 5 6 7 a 2 10 II 12 Mo, 34 .8 PPT6270 20~ Mlm=-I .2 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 a 1 0 II 12 4 M....7 0 PPT6263 A 3d Moa20.S PPT6260 7 -0 1 2 3

In situ pore-pressure evolution during dynamic CPT measurements in soft sediments of the western Baltic Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seifert, Annedore; Stegmann, Sylvia; Mörz, Tobias; Lange, Matthias; Wever, Thomas; Kopf, Achim

2008-08-01

We present in situ strength and pore-pressure measurements from 57 dynamic cone penetration tests in sediments of Mecklenburg ( n = 51), Eckernförde ( n = 2) and Gelting ( n = 4) bays, western Baltic Sea, characterised by thick mud layers and partially free microbial gas resulting from the degradation of organic material. In Mecklenburg and Eckernförde bays, sediment sampling by nine gravity cores served sedimentological characterisation, analyses of geotechnical properties, and laboratory shear tests. At selected localities, high-resolution echo-sounder profiles were acquired. Our aim was to deploy a dynamic cone penetrometer (CPT) to infer sediment shear strength and cohesion of the sea bottom as a function of fluid saturation. The results show very variable changes in pore pressure and sediment strength during the CPT deployments. The majority of the CPT measurements ( n = 54) show initially negative pore-pressure values during penetration, and a delayed response towards positive pressures thereafter. This so-called type B pore-pressure signal was recorded in all three bays, and is typically found in soft muds with high water contents and undrained shear strengths of 1.6-6.4 kPa. The type B signal is further affected by displacement of sediment and fluid upon penetration of the lance, skin effects during dynamic profiling, enhanced consolidation and strength of individual horizons, the presence of free gas, and a dilatory response of the sediment. In Mecklenburg Bay, the remaining small number of CPT measurements ( n = 3) show a well-defined peak in both pore pressure and cone resistance during penetration, i.e. an initial marked increase which is followed by exponential pore-pressure decay during dissipation. This so-called type A pore-pressure signal is associated with normally consolidated mud, with indurated clay layers showing significantly higher undrained shear strength (up to 19 kPa). In Eckernförde and Gelting bays pore-pressure response type B is exclusively found, while in Mecklenburg Bay types A and B were detected. Despite the striking similarities in incremental density increase and shear strength behaviour with depth, gas occurrence and subtle variations in the coarse-grained fraction cause distinct pore-pressure curves. Gaseous muds interbedded with silty and sandy layers are most common in the three bays, and the potential effect of free gas (i.e. undersaturated pore space) on in situ strength has to be explored further.

Elements of an improved model of debris-flow motion

USGS Publications Warehouse

Iverson, R.M.

2009-01-01

A new depth-averaged model of debris-flow motion describes simultaneous evolution of flow velocity and depth, solid and fluid volume fractions, and pore-fluid pressure. Non-hydrostatic pore-fluid pressure is produced by dilatancy, a state-dependent property that links the depth-averaged shear rate and volumetric strain rate of the granular phase. Pore-pressure changes caused by shearing allow the model to exhibit rate-dependent flow resistance, despite the fact that the basal shear traction involves only rate-independent Coulomb friction. An analytical solution of simplified model equations shows that the onset of downslope motion can be accelerated or retarded by pore-pressure change, contingent on whether dilatancy is positive or negative. A different analytical solution shows that such effects will likely be muted if downslope motion continues long enough, because dilatancy then evolves toward zero, and volume fractions and pore pressure concurrently evolve toward steady states. ?? 2009 American Institute of Physics.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cook, J.M.; Sheppard, M.C.; Houwen, O.H.

Previous work on shale mechanical properties has focused on the slow deformation rates appropriate to wellbore deformation. Deformation of shale under a drill bit occurs at a very high rate, and the failure properties of the rock under these conditions are crucial in determining bit performance and in extracting lithology and pore-pressure information from drilling parameters. Triaxial tests were performed on two nonswelling shales under a wide range of strain rates and confining and pore pressures. At low strain rates, when fluid is relatively free to move within the shale, shale deformation and failure are governed by effective stress ormore » pressure (i.e., total confining pressure minus pore pressure), as is the case for ordinary rock. If the pore pressure in the shale is high, increasing the strain rate beyond about 0.1%/sec causes large increases in the strength and ductility of the shale. Total pressure begins to influence the strength. At high stain rates, the influence of effective pressure decreases, except when it is very low (i.e., when pore pressure is very high); ductility then rises rapidly. This behavior is opposite that expected in ordinary rocks. This paper briefly discusses the reasons for these phenomena and their impact on wellbore and drilling problems.« less

Programmable assembly of pressure sensors using pattern-forming bacteria

PubMed Central

Cao, Yangxiaolu; Feng, Yaying; Ryser, Marc D.; Zhu, Kui; Herschlag, Gregory; Cao, Changyong; Marusak, Katherine; Zauscher, Stefan; You, Lingchong

2017-01-01

Biological systems can generate microstructured materials that combine organic and inorganic components and possess diverse physical and chemical properties. However, these natural processes in materials fabrication are not readily programmable. Here, we use a synthetic-biology approach to mimic such natural processes to assemble patterned materials.. We demonstrate programmable fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) materials by printing engineered self-patterning bacteria on permeable membranes that serve as a structural scaffold. Application of gold nanoparticles to the colonies creates hybrid organic-inorganic dome structures. The dynamics of the dome structures' response to pressure is determined by their geometry (colony size, dome height and pattern), which is easily modified by varying the properties of the membrane (e.g., pore size and hydrophobicity). We generate resettable pressure sensors that process signals in response to varying pressure intensity and duration. PMID:28991268

Upscaling pore pressure-dependent gas permeability in shales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghanbarian, Behzad; Javadpour, Farzam

2017-04-01

Upscaling pore pressure dependence of shale gas permeability is of great importance and interest in the investigation of gas production in unconventional reservoirs. In this study, we apply the Effective Medium Approximation, an upscaling technique from statistical physics, and modify the Doyen model for unconventional rocks. We develop an upscaling model to estimate the pore pressure-dependent gas permeability from pore throat size distribution, pore connectivity, tortuosity, porosity, and gas characteristics. We compare our adapted model with six data sets: three experiments, one pore-network model, and two lattice-Boltzmann simulations. Results showed that the proposed model estimated the gas permeability within a factor of 3 of the measurements/simulations in all data sets except the Eagle Ford experiment for which we discuss plausible sources of discrepancies.

Nanometer-scale imaging and pore-scale fluid flow modeling inchalk

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tomutsa, Liviu; Silin, Dmitriy; Radmilovich, Velimir

2005-08-23

For many rocks of high economic interest such as chalk,diatomite, tight gas sands or coal, nanometer scale resolution is neededto resolve the 3D-pore structure, which controls the flow and trapping offluids in the rocks. Such resolutions cannot be achieved with existingtomographic technologies. A new 3D imaging method, based on serialsectioning and using the Focused Ion Beam (FIB) technology has beendeveloped. FIB allows for the milling of layers as thin as 10 nanometersby using accelerated Ga+ ions to sputter atoms from the sample surface.After each milling step, as a new surface is exposed, a 2D image of thissurface is generated. Next,more » the 2D images are stacked to reconstruct the3D pore or grain structure. Resolutions as high as 10 nm are achievableusing this technique. A new image processing method uses directmorphological analysis of the pore space to characterize thepetrophysical properties of diverse formations. In addition to estimationof the petrophysical properties (porosity, permeability, relativepermeability and capillary pressures), the method is used for simulationof fluid displacement processes, such as those encountered in variousimproved oil recovery (IOR) approaches. Computed with the new methodcapillary pressure curves are in good agreement with laboratory data. Themethod has also been applied for visualization of the fluid distributionat various saturations from the new FIB data.« less

Temporal and spatial variation of infilling processes in a landslide scar in a steep mountainous region, Japan

EPA Science Inventory

The duration of the soil-depth recovery needed for reoccurrence of landslides at a given site is much longer than the return period of rainfall needed to generate sufficient pore water pressure to initiate a landslide. Knowledge of the soil development rate in landslide scars is ...

Relation of submarine landslide to hydrate occurrences in Baiyun Depression, South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yunbao; Zhang, Xiaohua; Wu, Shiguo; Wang, Lei; Yang, Shengxiong

2018-02-01

Submarine landslides have been observed in the Baiyun Depression of the South China Sea. The occurrence of hydrates below these landslides indicates that these slope instabilities may be closely related to the massive release of methane. In this study, we used a simple Monte-Carlo model to determine the first-order deformation pattern of a gravitationally destabilizing slope. The results show that a stress concentration occurs due to hydrate dissociation on the nearby glide surface and on top of a gas chimney structure. Upon the dissolution of the gas hydrate, slope failure occurs due to the excess pore pressure generated by the dissociation of the gas hydrates. When gas hydrates dissociate at shallow depths, the excess pore pressure generated can be greater than the total stress acting at those points, along with the forces that resist sliding. Initially, the failure occurs at the toe of the slope, then extends to the interior. Although our investigation focused only on the contribution of hydrate decomposition to submarine landslide, this process is also affected by both the slope material properties and topography.

Stress and Pore Pressure Measurement in IODP Riser Drilling: An Example from Expedition 319, Kumano Basin offshore SW Honshu, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saffer, D. M.; McNeill, L. C.; Byrne, T. B.; Araki, E.; Flemings, P. B.; Conin, M.; Eguchi, N. O.; Takahashi, K.; Toczko, S.; Boutt, D. F.; Doan, M.; Kano, Y.; Ito, T.; Lin, W.

2009-12-01

In summer 2009, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 319 drilled a 1600 m deep riser borehole (Site C0009) in the Kumano Basin offshore SW Japan, to investigate the properties, structure and state of stress in the hanging wall above the subduction plate boundary. The first riser-based scientific drilling in IODP history allowed us to make several new scientific measurements including in situ stress magnitude, pore pressure and permeability using the Modular Formation Dynamics Tester (MDT) wireline tool, and measurement of minimum stress magnitude from Leak-off Tests (LOT). In addition, continuous monitoring of mud weight, mud gas, annular pressure, and mud losses provided data to constrain formation pore fluid pressure and stress. At Site C0009, we conducted 2 LOTs below a casing shoe at 708.6 m depth and 11 successful MDT measurements, including 9 single probe tests to measure pore pressure and fluid mobility and 2 dual packer tests: 1 to measure permeability by a drawdown test, and 1 to measure in situ stress. Measured pore pressures are approximately hydrostatic to 1463.7 m depth. We observed only minor gas shows when drilling ahead (as in-place methane was liberated from the rock at the bit) but little or no gas during pipe connections. This indicates that the borehole mud pressure exceeded the formation pore pressure, and is consistent with the MDT measurements. Permeabilities range from ~10-16 m2 - 10-14 m2, and the observed variation is consistent with lithologic changes defined in gamma ray logs. The MDT measurement at 874.3 mbsf and the LOT at 708.6 m yield values for the least principal stress of 34.8 MPa and 30.2 MPa, respectively. Both are less than the vertical stress (Sv) computed from density logs. Partial mud circulation losses occurred when the borehole mud pressure exceeded the leak-off stress measured at the base of the casing shoe; this provides an additional indirect constraint on Shmin magnitude. Mud pressure slightly in excess of the leak-off stress may have also generated poorly-developed drilling-induced tensile fractures (DITF) observed in resistivity image logs between ~750 - 1000 m. From the presence of DITF, Shmin measurements, and assuming a rock tensile strength of 1 MPa, we determine that SHmax is 35.1 MPa for the MDT stress measurement, and 30.2 MPa for the LOT. Using the MDT measurement of Shmin, the resulting principal stress magnitudes define a strike-slip faulting regime with effective stresses of Shmax’ = 14 MPa, Sv' = 7.3 MPa, and Shmin’ = 6.4 MPa. In contrast, using the LOT measurement of Shmin, the stress magnitudes indicate a normal faulting regime in which Sv’ = 6.2 MPa, Shmax’ = 2.8 MPa, and Shmin’ = 2.6 MPa.

Temporal and Spatial Pore Water Pressure Distribution Surrounding a Vertical Landfill Leachate Recirculation Well

PubMed Central

Kadambala, Ravi; Townsend, Timothy G.; Jain, Pradeep; Singh, Karamjit

2011-01-01

Addition of liquids into landfilled waste can result in an increase in pore water pressure, and this in turn may increase concerns with respect to geotechnical stability of the landfilled waste mass. While the impact of vertical well leachate recirculation on landfill pore water pressures has been mathematically modeled, measurements of these systems in operating landfills have not been reported. Pressure readings from vibrating wire piezometers placed in the waste surrounding a liquids addition well at a full-scale operating landfill in Florida were recorded over a 2-year period. Prior to the addition of liquids, measured pore pressures were found to increase with landfill depth, an indication of gas pressure increase and decreasing waste permeability with depth. When liquid addition commenced, piezometers located closer to either the leachate injection well or the landfill surface responded more rapidly to leachate addition relative to those far from the well and those at deeper locations. After liquid addition stopped, measured pore pressures did not immediately drop, but slowly decreased with time. Despite the large pressures present at the bottom of the liquid addition well, much smaller pressures were measured in the surrounding waste. The spatial variation of the pressures recorded in this study suggests that waste permeability is anisotropic and decreases with depth. PMID:21655145

New Laboratory Observations of Thermal Pressurization Weakening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badt, N.; Tullis, T. E.; Hirth, G.

2017-12-01

Dynamic frictional weakening due to pore fluid thermal pressurization has been studied under elevated confining pressure in the laboratory, using a rotary-shear apparatus having a sample with independent pore pressure and confining pressure systems. Thermal pressurization is directly controlled by the permeability of the rocks, not only for the initiation of high-speed frictional weakening but also for a subsequent sequence of high-speed sliding events. First, the permeability is evaluated at different effective pressures using a method where the pore pressure drop and the flow-through rate are compared using Darcy's Law as well as a pore fluid oscillation method, the latter method also permitting measurement of the storage capacity. Then, the samples undergo a series of high-speed frictional sliding segments at a velocity of 2.5 mm/s, under an applied confining pressure and normal stress of 45 MPa and 50 MPa, respectively, and an initial pore pressure of 25 MPa. Finally the rock permeability and storage capacity are measured again to assess the evolution of the rock's pore fluid properties. For samples with a permeability of 10-20 m2 thermal pressurization promotes a 40% decrease in strength. However, after a sequence of three high-speed sliding events, the magnitude of weakening diminishes progressively from 40% to 15%. The weakening events coincide with dilation of the sliding interface. Moreover, the decrease in the weakening degree with progressive fast-slip events suggest that the hydraulic diffusivity may increase locally near the sliding interface during thermal pressurization-enhanced slip. This could result from stress- or thermally-induced damage to the host rock, which would perhaps increase both permeability and storage capacity, and so possibly decrease the susceptibility of dynamic weakening due to thermal pressurization in subsequent high-speed sliding events.

Pore-Scale Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis of Apparent Gas Permeability in Shale Matrix

PubMed Central

Zhang, Pengwei; Hu, Liming; Meegoda, Jay N.

2017-01-01

Extremely low permeability due to nano-scale pores is a distinctive feature of gas transport in a shale matrix. The permeability of shale depends on pore pressure, porosity, pore throat size and gas type. The pore network model is a practical way to explain the macro flow behavior of porous media from a microscopic point of view. In this research, gas flow in a shale matrix is simulated using a previously developed three-dimensional pore network model that includes typical bimodal pore size distribution, anisotropy and low connectivity of the pore structure in shale. The apparent gas permeability of shale matrix was calculated under different reservoir pressures corresponding to different gas exploitation stages. Results indicate that gas permeability is strongly related to reservoir gas pressure, and hence the apparent permeability is not a unique value during the shale gas exploitation, and simulations suggested that a constant permeability for continuum-scale simulation is not accurate. Hence, the reservoir pressures of different shale gas exploitations should be considered. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was also performed to determine the contributions to apparent permeability of a shale matrix from petro-physical properties of shale such as pore throat size and porosity. Finally, the impact of connectivity of nano-scale pores on shale gas flux was analyzed. These results would provide an insight into understanding nano/micro scale flows of shale gas in the shale matrix. PMID:28772465

Pore-Scale Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis of Apparent Gas Permeability in Shale Matrix.

PubMed

Zhang, Pengwei; Hu, Liming; Meegoda, Jay N

2017-01-25

Extremely low permeability due to nano-scale pores is a distinctive feature of gas transport in a shale matrix. The permeability of shale depends on pore pressure, porosity, pore throat size and gas type. The pore network model is a practical way to explain the macro flow behavior of porous media from a microscopic point of view. In this research, gas flow in a shale matrix is simulated using a previously developed three-dimensional pore network model that includes typical bimodal pore size distribution, anisotropy and low connectivity of the pore structure in shale. The apparent gas permeability of shale matrix was calculated under different reservoir pressures corresponding to different gas exploitation stages. Results indicate that gas permeability is strongly related to reservoir gas pressure, and hence the apparent permeability is not a unique value during the shale gas exploitation, and simulations suggested that a constant permeability for continuum-scale simulation is not accurate. Hence, the reservoir pressures of different shale gas exploitations should be considered. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was also performed to determine the contributions to apparent permeability of a shale matrix from petro-physical properties of shale such as pore throat size and porosity. Finally, the impact of connectivity of nano-scale pores on shale gas flux was analyzed. These results would provide an insight into understanding nano/micro scale flows of shale gas in the shale matrix.

Micro/Nano-pore Network Analysis of Gas Flow in Shale Matrix

PubMed Central

Zhang, Pengwei; Hu, Liming; Meegoda, Jay N.; Gao, Shengyan

2015-01-01

The gas flow in shale matrix is of great research interests for optimized shale gas extraction. The gas flow in the nano-scale pore may fall in flow regimes such as viscous flow, slip flow and Knudsen diffusion. A 3-dimensional nano-scale pore network model was developed to simulate dynamic gas flow, and to describe the transient properties of flow regimes. The proposed pore network model accounts for the various size distributions and low connectivity of shale pores. The pore size, pore throat size and coordination number obey normal distribution, and the average values can be obtained from shale reservoir data. The gas flow regimes were simulated using an extracted pore network backbone. The numerical results show that apparent permeability is strongly dependent on pore pressure in the reservoir and pore throat size, which is overestimated by low-pressure laboratory tests. With the decrease of reservoir pressure, viscous flow is weakening, then slip flow and Knudsen diffusion are gradually becoming dominant flow regimes. The fingering phenomenon can be predicted by micro/nano-pore network for gas flow, which provides an effective way to capture heterogeneity of shale gas reservoir. PMID:26310236

Micro/Nano-pore Network Analysis of Gas Flow in Shale Matrix.

PubMed

Zhang, Pengwei; Hu, Liming; Meegoda, Jay N; Gao, Shengyan

2015-08-27

The gas flow in shale matrix is of great research interests for optimized shale gas extraction. The gas flow in the nano-scale pore may fall in flow regimes such as viscous flow, slip flow and Knudsen diffusion. A 3-dimensional nano-scale pore network model was developed to simulate dynamic gas flow, and to describe the transient properties of flow regimes. The proposed pore network model accounts for the various size distributions and low connectivity of shale pores. The pore size, pore throat size and coordination number obey normal distribution, and the average values can be obtained from shale reservoir data. The gas flow regimes were simulated using an extracted pore network backbone. The numerical results show that apparent permeability is strongly dependent on pore pressure in the reservoir and pore throat size, which is overestimated by low-pressure laboratory tests. With the decrease of reservoir pressure, viscous flow is weakening, then slip flow and Knudsen diffusion are gradually becoming dominant flow regimes. The fingering phenomenon can be predicted by micro/nano-pore network for gas flow, which provides an effective way to capture heterogeneity of shale gas reservoir.

Study of pore pressure reaction on hydraulic fracturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trimonova, Mariia; Baryshnikov, Nikolay; Turuntaev, Sergey; Zenchenko, Evgeniy; Zenchenko, Petr

2017-04-01

We represent the results of the experimental study of the hydraulic fracture propagation influence on the fluid pore pressure. Initial pore pressure was induced by injection and production wells. The experiments were carried out according to scaling analysis based on the radial model of the fracture. All required geomechanical and hydrodynamical properties of a sample were derived from the scaling laws. So, gypsum was chosen as a sample material and vacuum oil as a fracturing fluid. The laboratory setup allows us to investigate the samples of cylindrical shape. It can be considered as an advantage in comparison with standard cubic samples, because we shouldn't consider the stress field inhomogeneity induced by the corners. Moreover, we can set 3D-loading by this setting. Also the sample diameter is big enough (43cm) for placing several wells: the fracturing well in the center and injection and production wells on two opposite sides of the central well. The experiment consisted of several stages: a) applying the horizontal pressure; b) applying the vertical pressure; c) water solution injection in the injection well with a constant pressure; d) the steady state obtaining; e) the oil injection in the central well with a constant rate. The pore pressure was recorded in the 15 points along bottom side of the sample during the whole experiment. We observe the pore pressure change during all the time of the experiment. First, the pore pressure changed due to water injection. Then we began to inject oil in the central well. We compared the obtained experimental data on the pore pressure changes with the solution of the 2D single-phase equation of pore-elasticity, and we found significant difference. The variation of the equation parameters couldn't help to resolve the discrepancy. After the experiment, we found that oil penetrated into the sample before and after the fracture initiation. This fact encouraged us to consider another physical process - the oil-water displacement. Have taken into account the phenomenon, we could find the parameter values for the best matching the experimental data with the analytical one. After such a comparison, we could estimate the permeability variation in the different directions due to changes in the pore pressure during fracturing. Thus it was found that for the correct solution of hydrodynamic problems in relation with hydraulic fracturing (for example, to estimate the production rate of the fractured well) one should take into account the change of the permeability in the vicinity of the fracture and solve nonlinear pore-elasticity problem.

Laboratory simulations of fluid-induced seismicity in shallow volcanic faults

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazio, Marco; Benson, Philip; Vinciguerra, Sergio; Meredith, Philip

2015-04-01

Seismicity is a key tool used for monitoring fracturing and faulting in around volcanoes, with a particular emphasis placed on the frequency (Long period or Low Frequency, LF events) thought to be due to fluid movement, as compared to Volcano-Tectonic activity driven by pure fracture. To better understand these fundamental processes this research presents new rock deformation experiments designed to simulate shallow volcano-tectonic pressure/temperature conditions, linking pore fluid flow to the induced seismicity. A particular emphasis is placed on the conditions of pressure and temperature required to stimulate LF activity. Our setup imposes a rapid pore pressure release or "venting" via a small pre-drilled axial conduit to stimulate rapid fluid movement through an established fracture damage zone via a two stage process. Firstly experiments are conducted to generate a through-going shear fracture, with pore fluid connectivity to this fracture enhanced via the axial conduit. The shear failure is imaged via AE location with ~mm scale accuracy. The second stage vents pore fluid pressure via an electrical solenoid valve. We find that this second stage is accompanied by a swarm of LF activity akin to Long Period (LP) activity on active volcanoes. We find that a significant change in the dominant frequency of LF events is recorded as pore fluid pressure decrease through, and beyond, the water boiling point and the transition between LF and VLF occurred at the pressure at which the superheated water turn to vapour. In addition, we observe a significant dependence of the recorded LF upon the fluid flow rate. Finally, we present new data using low frequency (200 kHz) AE sensors, in conjunction with our standard 1 MHz-central-frequency sensors, which permit us to better constraint LF and VLF events with lower attenuation, and hence an improved characterization of these LF seismic signals. Data are used to forecast the final time of failure via the fracture forecast methods of Kilburn (2004), showing a good correlation between measured sample failure time and the forecast time based on AE event rate. Our data showed little change in forecast accuracy when using LF data compared to regular HF data, illustrating the importance of newly fracturing surfaces in the application of such models.

Laboratory simulations of fluid-induced seismicity in shallow volcanic faults

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazio, M.; Benson, P. M.; Vinciguerra, S.

2014-12-01

Seismicity is a key tool used for monitoring fracturing and faulting in around volcanoes, with a particular emphasis placed on the frequency (Long period or Low Frequency, LF events) thought to be due to fluid movement, as compared to Volcano-Tectonic activity driven by pure fracture. To better understand these fundamental processes this research presents new rock deformation experiments designed to simulate shallow volcano-tectonic pressure/temperature conditions, linking pore fluid flow to the induced seismicity. A particular emphasis is placed on the conditions of pressure and temperature required to stimulate LF activity. Our setup imposes a rapid pore pressure release or "venting" via a small pre-drilled axial conduit to stimulate rapid fluid movement through an established fracture damage zone via a two stage process. Firstly experiments are conducted to generate a through-going shear fracture, with pore fluid connectivity to this fracture enhanced via the axial conduit. The shear failure is imaged via AE location with ~mm scale accuracy. The second stage vents pore fluid pressure via an electrical solenoid valve. We find that this second stage is accompanied by a swarm of LF activity akin to Long Period (LP) activity on active volcanoes. We find that a significant change in the dominant frequency of LF events is recorded as pore fluid pressure decrease through, and beyond, the water boiling point and the transition between LF and VLF occurred at the pressure at which the superheated water turn to vapour. In addition, we observe a significant dependence of the recorded LF upon the fluid flow rate. Finally, we present new data using low frequency (200 kHz) AE sensors, in conjunction with our standard 1 MHz-central-frequency sensors, which permit us to better constraint LF and VLF events with lower attenuation, and hence an improved characterization of these LF seismic signals. Data are used to forecast the final time of failure via the fracture forecast methods of Kilburn (2004), showing a good correlation between measured sample failure time and the forecast time based on AE event rate. Our data showed little change in forecast accuracy when using LF data compared to regular HF data, illustrating the importance of newly fracturing surfaces in the application of such models.

The change in orientation of subsidiary shears near faults containing pore fluid under high pressure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Byerlee, J.

1992-01-01

Byerlee, J., 1992. The change in orientation of subsidiary shears near faults containing pore fluid under high pressure. In: T. Mikumo, K. Aki, M. Ohnaka, L.J. Ruff and P.K.P. Spudich (Editors), Earthquake Source Physics and Earthquake Precursors. Tectonophysics, 211: 295-303. The mechanical effects of a fault containing near-lithostatic fluid pressure in which fluid pressure decreases monotonically from the core of the fault zone to the adjacent country rock is considered. This fluid pressure distribution has mechanical implications for the orientation of subsidiary shears around a fault. Analysis shows that the maximum principal stress is oriented at a high angle to the fault in the country rock where the pore pressure is hydrostatic, and rotates to 45?? to the fault within the fault zone where the pore pressure is much higher. This analysis suggests that on the San Andreas fault, where heat flow constraints require that the coefficient of friction for slip on the fault be less than 0.1, the pore fluid pressure on the main fault is 85% of the lithostatic pressure. The observed geometry of the subsidiary shears in the creeping section of the San Andreas are broadly consistent with this model, with differences that may be due to the heterogeneous nature of the fault. ?? 1992.

Experimental Studies of Dynamic Fault Weakening Due to Thermal Pressurization of Pore Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldsby, David; Tullis, Terry; Platt, John; Okazaki, Keishi

2016-04-01

High-velocity friction experiments and geophysical observations suggest that mature faults weaken dramatically during seismic slip. However, while many coseismic weakening mechanisms have been proposed, it is still unclear which mechanisms are most important or how the efficiency of weakening varies within the seismogenic zone. Thermal pressurization is one possible coseismic weakening mechanism driven by the thermal expansion of native pore fluids, which leads to elevated pore pressures and significant coseismic weakening. While thermal pressurization has been studied theoretically for many decades, and invoked in recent earthquake simulations, its activation in laboratory experiments has remained elusive. Several high-speed friction studies have yielded indirect evidence for thermal pressurization, yet none has directly linked with existing theoretical models or the relevant physical parameters, such as permeability, slip, and slip rate, that control the weakening rate. To fill this gap, we are conducting thermal pressurization experiments on fluid-saturated, low-permeability rocks (Frederick diabase) at slip rates up to ~5 mm/s, at constant confining pressures in the range 21-149 MPa and initial imposed pore pressures in the range 10-25 MPa. The impractically low permeability of the as-is diabase, ~10-23 m2, is increased prior to the test by thermal cracking, yielding measured permeabilities in the range 1.3*10-18 to 6.1*10-19 m2. These values of permeability are high enough to allow sample saturation over one to several days, but low enough to confine the elevated pore pressures generated by frictional heating during rapid sliding. Our experiments reveal a rapid decay of shear stress following a step-change in velocity from 10 μm/s to 4.8 mm/s. In one test, the decrease in shear stress of ~25% over the first 28 mm of slip at 4.8 mm/s agrees closely with the theoretical solution for slip on a plane (Rice [2006]), with an inferred slip-weakening distance of ~500 mm, which is in the range predicted by inserting laboratory-determined rock and fluid properties into the formula for L* from Rice [2006]. In another test, steps from 10 μm/s to three different velocities (1.2 mm/s, 2.4 mm/s, and 4.8 mm/s) all fit the Rice solution with values of L* that varied systematically with velocity as predicted by the theory. Deviations from the theoretical prediction occur at displacements larger than 28 mm, since the experimental sample is not a semi-infinite half space, as assumed in the models, and heat is lost to the high-conductivity steel of the sample assembly. To our knowledge, this is the best experimental validation of thermal pressurization to date.

Laser powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing: Physics of complex melt flow and formation mechanisms of pores, spatter, and denudation zones

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khairallah, Saad A.; Anderson, Andrew T.; Rubenchik, Alexander

Our study demonstrates the significant effect of the recoil pressure and Marangoni convection in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) of 316L stainless steel. A three-dimensional high fidelity powder-scale model reveals how the strong dynamical melt flow generates pore defects, material spattering (sparking), and denudation zones. The melt track is divided into three sections: a topological depression, a transition and a tail region, each being the location of specific physical effects. The inclusion of laser ray-tracing energy deposition in the powder-scale model improves over traditional volumetric energy deposition. It enables partial particle melting, which impacts pore defects in the denudation zone.more » Different pore formation mechanisms are observed at the edge of a scan track, at the melt pool bottom (during collapse of the pool depression), and at the end of the melt track (during laser power ramp down). Finally, we discuss remedies to these undesirable pores are discussed. The results are validated against the experiments and the sensitivity to laser absorptivity.« less

Laser powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing: Physics of complex melt flow and formation mechanisms of pores, spatter, and denudation zones

DOE PAGES

Khairallah, Saad A.; Anderson, Andrew T.; Rubenchik, Alexander; ...

2016-02-23

Our study demonstrates the significant effect of the recoil pressure and Marangoni convection in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) of 316L stainless steel. A three-dimensional high fidelity powder-scale model reveals how the strong dynamical melt flow generates pore defects, material spattering (sparking), and denudation zones. The melt track is divided into three sections: a topological depression, a transition and a tail region, each being the location of specific physical effects. The inclusion of laser ray-tracing energy deposition in the powder-scale model improves over traditional volumetric energy deposition. It enables partial particle melting, which impacts pore defects in the denudation zone.more » Different pore formation mechanisms are observed at the edge of a scan track, at the melt pool bottom (during collapse of the pool depression), and at the end of the melt track (during laser power ramp down). Finally, we discuss remedies to these undesirable pores are discussed. The results are validated against the experiments and the sensitivity to laser absorptivity.« less

Effect of confinement in nano-porous materials on the solubility of a supercritical gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yaofeng; Huang, Liangliang; Zhao, Shuangliang; Liu, Honglai; Gubbins, Keith E.

2016-11-01

By combining Gibbs Ensemble Monte Carlo simulations and density functional theory, we investigate the influence of confinement in a slit-shaped carbon pore on the solubility of a supercritical solute gas in a liquid solvent. In the cases studied here, competing adsorption of the solvent and solute determines whether the solubility is enhanced or suppressed for larger pores. We find that the solubility in the confined system is strongly dependent on pore width, and that molecular packing effects are important for small pore widths. In addition, the solubility decreases on increase in the temperature, as for the bulk mixture, but the rate of decrease is greater in the pore due to a decrease in the partial molar enthalpy of the solute in the pore; this effect becomes greater as pore width is decreased. The solubility is increased on increasing the bulk pressure of the gas in equilibrium with the pore, and obeys Henry's law at lower pressures. However, the Henry constant differs significantly from that for the bulk mixture, and the range of pressure over which Henry's law applies is reduced relative to that for the bulk mixture. The latter observation indicates that solute-solute interactions become more important in the pore than for the bulk at a given bulk pressure. Finally, we note that different authors use different definitions of the solubility in pores, leading to some confusion over the reported phenomenon of 'oversolubility'. We recommend that solubility be defined as the overall mole fraction of solute in the pores, since it takes into account the increase in density of the solvent in the pores, and avoids ambiguity in the definition of the pore volume.

The effects of pressure, temperature, and pore water on velocities in Westerly granite. [for seismic wave propagation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spencer, J. W., Jr.; Nur, A. M.

1976-01-01

A description is presented of an experimental assembly which has been developed to conduct concurrent measurements of compressional and shear wave velocities in rocks at high temperatures and confining pressures and with independent control of the pore pressure. The apparatus was used in studies of the joint effects of temperature, external confining pressure, and internal pore water on sonic velocities in Westerly granite. It was found that at a given temperature, confining pressure has a larger accelerating effect on compressional waves in dry rock, whereas at a given confining pressure, temperature has a larger retarding effect on shear waves.

Measurements of unjacketed moduli of porous rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarokh, A.; Makhnenko, R. Y.; Labuz, J.

2017-12-01

Coupling of stress and pore pressure appears in a number of applications dealing with subsurface (sedimentary) rock, including petroleum exploration and waste storage. Poroelastic analyses consider the compressibility of the solid constituents forming the rock, and often times solid bulk modulus Ks is assumed to be the same as the dominant mineral bulk modulus. In fact, there are two different parameters describing solid compressibility of a porous rock: the unjacketed bulk modulus Ks' and the unjacketed pore modulus Ks". Experimental techniques are developed to measure the two poroelastic parameters of fluid-saturated porous rock under the unjacketed condition. In an unjacketed experiment, the rock without a membrane is loaded by the fluid in a pressure vessel. The confining fluid permeates the connected pore space throughout the interior of the rock. Therefore, changes in mean stress P will produce equal changes in pore pressure p, i.e. ΔP = Δp. The test can also be performed with a jacketed rock specimen by applying equal increments of mean stress and pore pressure. The unjacketed bulk modulus, Ks', is obtained by measuring the bulk strain with resistive strain gages. The unjacketed pore modulus, Ks", the pore volume counterpart to Ks', is a measure of the change in pore pressure per unit pore volume strain under the unjacketed condition. Several indirect estimates of Ks" have been reported but limitations of these approaches do not provide an accurate value. We present direct measurements of Ks" with detailed calibration on the system volumetric response. The results indicate that for Dunnville sandstone Ks' and Ks" are equal while for Berea sandstone, a difference between the two moduli exists, which is explained by the presence of non-connected pores. The experiments also strongly suggest that both Ks' and Ks" are independent of effective stress.

An analysis of transient flow in upland watersheds: interactions between structure and process

Treesearch

David Lawrence Brown

1995-01-01

The physical structure and hydrological processes of upland watersheds interact in response to forcing functions such as rainfall, leading to storm runoff generation and pore pressure evolution. Transient fluid flow through distinct flow paths such as the soil matrix, macropores, saprolite, and bedrock may be viewed as a consequence of such interactions. Field...

A two-phase debris-flow model that includes coupled evolution of volume fractions, granular dilatancy, and pore-fluid pressure

USGS Publications Warehouse

George, David L.; Iverson, Richard M.

2011-01-01

Pore-fluid pressure plays a crucial role in debris flows because it counteracts normal stresses at grain contacts and thereby reduces intergranular friction. Pore-pressure feedback accompanying debris deformation is particularly important during the onset of debrisflow motion, when it can dramatically influence the balance of forces governing downslope acceleration. We consider further effects of this feedback by formulating a new, depth-averaged mathematical model that simulates coupled evolution of granular dilatancy, solid and fluid volume fractions, pore-fluid pressure, and flow depth and velocity during all stages of debris-flow motion. To illustrate implications of the model, we use a finite-volume method to compute one-dimensional motion of a debris flow descending a rigid, uniformly inclined slope, and we compare model predictions with data obtained in large-scale experiments at the USGS debris-flow flume. Predictions for the first 1 s of motion show that increasing pore pressures (due to debris contraction) cause liquefaction that enhances flow acceleration. As acceleration continues, however, debris dilation causes dissipation of pore pressures, and this dissipation helps stabilize debris-flow motion. Our numerical predictions of this process match experimental data reasonably well, but predictions might be improved by accounting for the effects of grain-size segregation.

Virial series expansion and Monte Carlo studies of equation of state for hard spheres in narrow cylindrical pores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mon, K. K.

2018-05-01

In this paper, the virial series expansion and constant pressure Monte Carlo method are used to study the longitudinal pressure equation of state for hard spheres in narrow cylindrical pores. We invoke dimensional reduction and map the model into an effective one-dimensional fluid model with interacting internal degrees of freedom. The one-dimensional model is extensive. The Euler relation holds, and longitudinal pressure can be probed with the standard virial series expansion method. Virial coefficients B2 and B3 were obtained analytically, and numerical quadrature was used for B4. A range of narrow pore widths (2 Rp) , Rp<(√{3 }+2 ) /4 =0.9330 ... (in units of the hard sphere diameter) was used, corresponding to fluids in the important single-file formations. We have also computed the virial pressure series coefficients B2', B3', and B4' to compare a truncated virial pressure series equation of state with accurate constant pressure Monte Carlo data. We find very good agreement for a wide range of pressures for narrow pores. These results contribute toward increasing the rather limited understanding of virial coefficients and the equation of state of hard sphere fluids in narrow cylindrical pores.

An evaluation of factors influencing pore pressure in accretionary complexes: Implications for taper angle and wedge mechanics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Saffer, D.M.; Bekins, B.A.

2006-01-01

At many subduction zones, accretionary complexes form as sediment is off-scraped from the subducting plate. Mechanical models that treat accretionary complexes as critically tapered wedges of sediment demonstrate that pore pressure controls their taper angle by modifying basal and internal shear strength. Here, we combine a numerical model of groundwater flow with critical taper theory to quantify the effects of sediment and de??collement permeability, sediment thickness, sediment partitioning between accretion and underthrusting, and plate convergence rate on steady state pore pressure. Our results show that pore pressure in accretionary wedges can be viewed as a dynamically maintained response to factors which drive pore pressure (source terms) and those that limit flow (permeability and drainage path length). We find that sediment permeability and incoming sediment thickness are the most important factors, whereas fault permeability and the partitioning of sediment have a small effect. For our base case model scenario, as sediment permeability is increased, pore pressure decreases from near-lithostatic to hydrostatic values and allows stable taper angles to increase from ??? 2.5?? to 8??-12.5??. With increased sediment thickness in our models (from 100 to 8000 m), increased pore pressure drives a decrease in stable taper angle from 8.4??-12.5?? to 15?? to <4??) with increased sediment thickness (from <1 to 7 km). One key implication is that hydrologic properties may strongly influence the strength of the crust in a wide range of geologic settings. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.

Preparation of high porosity xerogels by chemical surface modification.

DOEpatents

Deshpande, Ravindra; Smith, Douglas M.; Brinker, C. Jeffrey

1996-01-01

This invention provides an extremely porous xerogel dried at vacuum-to-below supercritical pressures but having the properties of aerogels which are typically dried at supercritical pressures. This is done by reacting the internal pore surface of the wet gel with organic substances in order to change the contact angle of the fluid meniscus in the pores during drying. Shrinkage of the gel (which is normally prevented by use of high autoclave pressures, such that the pore fluid is at temperature and pressure above its critical values) is avoided even at vacuum or ambient pressures.

Long Term Observations of Subsurface Pore Pressure in the Kumano Basin and Upper Accretionary Wedge along the NanTroSIEZE Transect, offshore Japan: Signals from the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y.; Saffer, D. M.

2013-12-01

Subsurface pore pressure as a sensitive measure of strain and formation properties has provided insights into the wide range of fault slip behaviors, contributing to the understanding of fault and earthquake mechanics. Pore pressures from off shore borehole observatory are especially important, as 1) they are the only detectable signals of small and slow events; 2) they provide our only access to the outer forearc, where the tsunami hazards are triggered by the fault slip. As part of the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) a suite of borehole sensors were installed as part of a long-term borehole observatory at IODP Site C0002, during IODP Expedition # 332 in December of 2010. The observatory includes a broadband seismometer, short period geophones, a volumetric strainmeter, temperature sensors, an accelerometer, and formation pore pressure monitoring at two depths: one in the mudstones of the Kumano Basin in an interval spanning 757-780 meters below seafloor (mbsf), and a second in the uppermost accretionary wedge in an interval from 937 - 980 mbsf. Here, we report on pore pressure records acquired at a sampling frequency of 1/60 Hz, spanning the period from December 2010 to January 2013, which were recovered in early 2013. We observe a clear hydraulic signal from March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake and aftershocks, including both dynamic pore pressure changes during passage of surface waves and shifts in formation pressure following the event. Pressure exhibit an increase of ~3 kPa in the upper sediment screened interval following the earthquake, and decrease by ~5 kPa in the accretionary prism interval. Both of the offset changes persist through the end of the data recording. These pore pressure changes may reflect static stress changes from the earthquake, or local site effects related to shaking. We also observe a clear increase in formation pore pressures associated with drilling operations at nearby holes in November and December 2012. These inadvertent two-well tests provide information about formation hydraulic properties at the ~20-50 m scale.

Experimental study of dynamic effective stress coefficient for ultrasonic velocities of Bakken cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, X.; Zoback, M. D.

2016-12-01

We have performed a series of exhaustive experiments to measure the effective stress coefficient (α) of the tight cores from the Bakken shale oil play. Five distinct, bedding-normal cores from a vertical well were tested, covering the sequences of Lodgepole, Middle Bakken, and Three Forks. The scope of this laboratory study is two-fold: (1) to obtain the dynamic effective stress coefficient for ultrasonic velocities; (2) to characterize the poromechanical properties in relation to rock's mineral composition and microstructure. The experiments were carried out as follows: Argon-saturated specimen (1-inch length, 1-inch diameter) was subjected to hydrostatic confining pressure under drained conditions. Pore pressure was regulated as Argon was injected into both ends of the specimen. We drilled multiple non-through-going boreholes (1-mm diameter) in the specimen to facilitate pore pressure equilibrium, without compromising its integrity. The specimen was put through a loading path to experience confining pressure and pore pressure up to 70 and 60 MPa, respectively. P- and S- wave velocities were measured and used to calculate the rock's dynamic effective stress coefficient. Results of all five cores unanimously show that the dynamic a is a function of both confining and pore pressures, regardless of the wave type and loading path. When the simple effective stress is low, α is close to unity; however, α consistently increases as the simple effective stress rises and can reach as much as 3 when the latter reaches 60 MPa. This trend is rather surprising as it is diametrically the opposite of what was observed for the static α. A possible explanation is that high-frequency wave-induced pore pressure increment may have not remained equilibrated throughout the pore space, especially in very thin cracks, according to the squirt model. This phenomenon can be enhanced when the bulk modulus of pore fluid (gas typically considered to be `soft' and `non-viscous') increases with pore pressure and becomes comparable to the crack stiffness.

On the Possibility of Estimation of the Earth Crust's Properties from the Observations of Electric Field of Electrokinetic Origin, Generated by Tidal Deformation within the Fault Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alekseev, D. A.; Gokhberg, M. B.

2018-05-01

A 2-D boundary problem formulation in terms of pore pressure in Biot poroelasticity model is discussed, with application to a vertical contact model mechanically excited by a lunar-solar tidal deformation wave, representing a fault zone structure. A problem parametrization in terms of permeability and Biot's modulus contrasts is proposed and its numerical solution is obtained for a series of models differing in the values of the above parameters. The behavior of pore pressure and its gradient is analyzed. From those, the electric field of the electrokinetic nature is calculated. The possibilities of estimation of the elastic properties and permeability of geological formations from the observations of the horizontal and vertical electric field measured inside the medium and at the earth's surface near the block boundary are discussed.

Evaluation of solitary waves as a mechanism for oil transport in poroelastic media: A case study of the South Eugene Island field, Gulf of Mexico basin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Joshi, Ajit; Appold, Martin S.; Nunn, Jeffrey A.

Hydrocarbons in shallow reservoirs of the Eugene Island 330 field in the Gulf of Mexico basin are thought to have migrated rapidly along low permeability sediments of the Red fault zone as discrete pressure pulses from source rocks at depths of about 4.5 km. The aim of this research was to evaluate the hypothesis that these pressure pulses represent solitary waves by investigating the mechanics of solitary wave formation and motion and wave oil transport capability. A two-dimensional numerical model of Eugene Island minibasin formation predicted overpressures at the hydrocarbon source depth to increase at an average rate of 30more » Pa/yr, reaching 52 MPa by the present day and oil velocities of 1E-12 m/yr, far too low for kilometer scale oil transport to fill shallow Plio-Pleistocene reservoirs within the 3.6 million year minibasin history. Calculations from a separate one-dimensional model that used the pressure generation rate from the two-dimensional model showed that solitary waves could only form and migrate within sediments that have very low permeabilities between 1-25 to 1-24 m2 and that are highly overpressured to 91-93% of lithostatic pressure. Solitary waves were found to have a maximum pore volume of 105 m3, to travel a maximum distance of 1-2 km, and to have a maximum velocity of 1-3 m/yr. Based on these results, solitary waves are unlikely to have transported oil to the shallowest reservoirs in the Eugene Island field in a poroelastic fault gouge rheology at the pressure generation rates likely to have been caused by disequilibrium compaction and hydrocarbon generation. However, solitary waves could perhaps be important agents for oil transport in other locations where reservoirs are closer to the source rocks, where the pore space is occupied by more than one fluid, or where sudden fracturing of overpressured hydrocarbon source sediments would allow the solitary waves to propagate as shock waves. Hydrocarbons in shallow reservoirs of the Eugene Island 330 field in the Gulf of Mexico basin are thought to have migrated rapidly along low permeability sediments of the Red fault zone as discrete pressure pulses from source rocks at depths of about 4.5 km. The aim of this research was to evaluate the hypothesis that these pressure pulses represent solitary waves by investigating the mechanics of solitary wave formation and motion and wave oil transport capability. A two-dimensional numerical model of Eugene Island minibasin formation predicted overpressures at the hydrocarbon source depth to increase at an average rate of 30 Pa/yr, reaching 52 MPa by the present day and oil velocities of 1-12 m/yr, far too low for kilometer scale oil transport to fill shallow Plio-Pleistocene reservoirs within the 3.6 million year minibasin history. Calculations from a separate one-dimensional model that used the pressure generation rate from the two-dimensional model showed that solitary waves could only form and migrate within sediments that have very low permeabilities between 1-25 to 1-24 m2 and that are highly overpressured to 91-93% of lithostatic pressure. Solitary waves were found to have a maximum pore volume of 100,000 m3, to travel a maximum distance of 1-2 km, and to have a maximum velocity of 1-3 m/yr. Based on these results, solitary waves are unlikely to have transported oil to the shallowest reservoirs in the Eugene Island field in a poroelastic fault gouge rheology at the pressure generation rates likely to have been caused by disequilibrium compaction and hydrocarbon generation. However, solitary waves could perhaps be important agents for oil transport in other locations where reservoirs are closer to the source rocks, where the pore space is occupied by more than one fluid, or where sudden fracturing of overpressured hydrocarbon source sediments would allow the solitary waves to propagate as shock waves.« less

Characteristics of nuclepore filters with large pore size—I. Physical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, W.; Hering, S.; Reischl, G.; Sasaki, G.; Goren, S.

Measurements of pore diameter, pore density and filter thickness have been made on Nuclepore filters of 5, 8 and 12 μm pore size. The areal distribution of the pores is random, as verified by total hole counts and by counts of overlapping holes. Filter thicknesses decrease with increasing pore diameter. The Hagen-Poiseuille formula accounts for less than half of the measured pressure drop across 12 μm pore size filters. A new calculation, including a term for the pressure drop external to the filter, accounts quantitatively for the observations. There are sufficient variations among filter batches to require knowledge of the filter parameters for each batch to ensure accurate measurements using these filters.

Factors affecting plant growth in membrane nutrient delivery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dreschel, T. W.; Wheeler, R. M.; Sager, J. C.; Knott, W. M.

1990-01-01

The development of the tubular membrane plant growth unit for the delivery of water and nutrients to roots in microgravity has recently focused on measuring the effects of changes in physical variables controlling solution availability to the plants. Significant effects of membrane pore size and the negative pressure used to contain the solution were demonstrated. Generally, wheat grew better in units with a larger pore size but equal negative pressure and in units with the same pore size but less negative pressure. Lettuce also exhibited better plant growth at less negative pressure.

The 2016 Mw5.1 Fairview, Oklahoma earthquakes: Evidence for long-range poroelastic triggering at >40 km from fluid disposal wells

DOE PAGES

Goebel, T. H. W.; Weingarten, M.; Chen, X.; ...

2017-05-30

Wastewater disposal in the central U.S. is likely responsible for an unprecedented surge in earthquake activity. Much of this activity is thought to be driven by induced pore pressure changes and slip on pre-stressed faults, which requires a hydraulic connection between faults and injection wells. However, direct pressure effects and hydraulic connectivity are questionable for earthquakes located at large distances and depths from the injectors. Here, we examine triggering mechanisms of induced earthquakes, which occurred at more than 40 km from wastewater disposal wells in the greater Fairview region, northwest Oklahoma, employing numerical and semi-analytical poroelastic models. The region exhibitedmore » few earthquakes before 2013, when background seismicity started to accelerate rapidly, culminating in the Mw5.1 Fairview earthquake in February 2016. Injection rates in the ~2–2.5km deep Arbuckle formation started to increase rapidly in 2012, about two years before the start of seismicity-increase. Most of the injection activity was concentrated toward the northeast of the study region, generating a relatively cohesive zone of pressure perturbations between 0.1 and 1MPa. Much of the near-injection seismicity was likely triggered by pressure effects and fault-assisted pressure diffusion to seismogenic depth. Outside of the high-pressure zone, we observed two remarkably detached, linear seismicity clusters, which occurred at 20 to 50 km distance from the initial seismicity and 10 to 40 km from the nearest, high-rate injector. Semi-analytical models reveal that poroelastically-induced Coulomb-stress-changes surpass pore pressure changes at these distances, providing a plausible triggering mechanism in the far-field of injection wells. These results indicate that both pore-pressures and poroelastic stresses can play a significant role in triggering deep and distant earthquakes by fluid injection and should be considered for seismic hazard assessment beyond the targeted reservoir.« less

The 2016 Mw5.1 Fairview, Oklahoma earthquakes: Evidence for long-range poroelastic triggering at >40 km from fluid disposal wells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goebel, T. H. W.; Weingarten, M.; Chen, X.

Wastewater disposal in the central U.S. is likely responsible for an unprecedented surge in earthquake activity. Much of this activity is thought to be driven by induced pore pressure changes and slip on pre-stressed faults, which requires a hydraulic connection between faults and injection wells. However, direct pressure effects and hydraulic connectivity are questionable for earthquakes located at large distances and depths from the injectors. Here, we examine triggering mechanisms of induced earthquakes, which occurred at more than 40 km from wastewater disposal wells in the greater Fairview region, northwest Oklahoma, employing numerical and semi-analytical poroelastic models. The region exhibitedmore » few earthquakes before 2013, when background seismicity started to accelerate rapidly, culminating in the Mw5.1 Fairview earthquake in February 2016. Injection rates in the ~2–2.5km deep Arbuckle formation started to increase rapidly in 2012, about two years before the start of seismicity-increase. Most of the injection activity was concentrated toward the northeast of the study region, generating a relatively cohesive zone of pressure perturbations between 0.1 and 1MPa. Much of the near-injection seismicity was likely triggered by pressure effects and fault-assisted pressure diffusion to seismogenic depth. Outside of the high-pressure zone, we observed two remarkably detached, linear seismicity clusters, which occurred at 20 to 50 km distance from the initial seismicity and 10 to 40 km from the nearest, high-rate injector. Semi-analytical models reveal that poroelastically-induced Coulomb-stress-changes surpass pore pressure changes at these distances, providing a plausible triggering mechanism in the far-field of injection wells. These results indicate that both pore-pressures and poroelastic stresses can play a significant role in triggering deep and distant earthquakes by fluid injection and should be considered for seismic hazard assessment beyond the targeted reservoir.« less

The 2016 Mw5.1 Fairview, Oklahoma earthquakes: Evidence for long-range poroelastic triggering at >40 km from fluid disposal wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goebel, T. H. W.; Weingarten, M.; Chen, X.; Haffener, J.; Brodsky, E. E.

2017-08-01

Wastewater disposal in the central U.S. is likely responsible for an unprecedented surge in earthquake activity. Much of this activity is thought to be driven by induced pore pressure changes and slip on pre-stressed faults, which requires a hydraulic connection between faults and injection wells. However, direct pressure effects and hydraulic connectivity are questionable for earthquakes located at large distances and depths from the injectors. Here, we examine triggering mechanisms of induced earthquakes, which occurred at more than 40 km from wastewater disposal wells in the greater Fairview region, northwest Oklahoma, employing numerical and semi-analytical poroelastic models. The region exhibited few earthquakes before 2013, when background seismicity started to accelerate rapidly, culminating in the Mw5.1 Fairview earthquake in February 2016. Injection rates in the ∼2-2.5 km deep Arbuckle formation started to increase rapidly in 2012, about two years before the start of seismicity-increase. Most of the injection activity was concentrated toward the northeast of the study region, generating a relatively cohesive zone of pressure perturbations between 0.1 and 1 MPa. Much of the near-injection seismicity was likely triggered by pressure effects and fault-assisted pressure diffusion to seismogenic depth. Outside of the high-pressure zone, we observed two remarkably detached, linear seismicity clusters, which occurred at 20 to 50 km distance from the initial seismicity and 10 to 40 km from the nearest, high-rate injector. Semi-analytical models reveal that poroelastically-induced Coulomb-stress-changes surpass pore pressure changes at these distances, providing a plausible triggering mechanism in the far-field of injection wells. These results indicate that both pore-pressures and poroelastic stresses can play a significant role in triggering deep and distant earthquakes by fluid injection and should be considered for seismic hazard assessment beyond the targeted reservoir.

High fluid pressure and triggered earthquakes in the enhanced geothermal system in Basel, Switzerland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terakawa, Toshiko; Miller, Stephen A.; Deichmann, Nicholas

2012-07-01

We analyzed 118 well-constrained focal mechanisms to estimate the pore fluid pressure field of the stimulated region during the fluid injection experiment in Basel, Switzerland. This technique, termed focal mechanism tomography (FMT), uses the orientations of slip planes within the prevailing regional stress field as an indicator of the fluid pressure along the plane at the time of slip. The maximum value and temporal change of excess pore fluid pressures are consistent with the known history of the wellhead pressure applied at the borehole. Elevated pore fluid pressures were concentrated within 500 m of the open hole section, which are consistent with the spatiotemporal evolution of the induced microseismicity. Our results demonstrate that FMT is a robust approach, being validated at the meso-scale of the Basel stimulation experiment. We found average earthquake triggering excess pore fluid pressures of about 10 MPa above hydrostatic. Overpressured fluids induced many small events (M < 3) along faults unfavorably oriented relative to the tectonic stress pattern, while the larger events tended to occur along optimally oriented faults. This suggests that small-scale hydraulic networks, developed from the high pressure stimulation, interact to load (hydraulically isolated) high strength bridges that produce the larger events. The triggering pore fluid pressures are substantially higher than that predicted from a linear pressure diffusion process from the source boundary, and shows that the system is highly permeable along flow paths that allow fast pressure diffusion to the boundaries of the stimulated region.

Transient deterministic shallow landslide modeling: Requirements for susceptibility and hazard assessments in a GIS framework

USGS Publications Warehouse

Godt, J.W.; Baum, R.L.; Savage, W.Z.; Salciarini, D.; Schulz, W.H.; Harp, E.L.

2008-01-01

Application of transient deterministic shallow landslide models over broad regions for hazard and susceptibility assessments requires information on rainfall, topography and the distribution and properties of hillside materials. We survey techniques for generating the spatial and temporal input data for such models and present an example using a transient deterministic model that combines an analytic solution to assess the pore-pressure response to rainfall infiltration with an infinite-slope stability calculation. Pore-pressures and factors of safety are computed on a cell-by-cell basis and can be displayed or manipulated in a grid-based GIS. Input data are high-resolution (1.8??m) topographic information derived from LiDAR data and simple descriptions of initial pore-pressure distribution and boundary conditions for a study area north of Seattle, Washington. Rainfall information is taken from a previously defined empirical rainfall intensity-duration threshold and material strength and hydraulic properties were measured both in the field and laboratory. Results are tested by comparison with a shallow landslide inventory. Comparison of results with those from static infinite-slope stability analyses assuming fixed water-table heights shows that the spatial prediction of shallow landslide susceptibility is improved using the transient analyses; moreover, results can be depicted in terms of the rainfall intensity and duration known to trigger shallow landslides in the study area.

Evolution of a natural debris flow: In situ measurements of flow dynamics, video imagery, and terrestrial laser scanning

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCoy, S.W.; Kean, J.W.; Coe, J.A.; Staley, D.M.; Wasklewicz, T.A.; Tucker, G.E.

2010-01-01

Many theoretical and laboratory studies have been undertaken to understand debris-flow processes and their associated hazards. However, complete and quantitative data sets from natural debris flows needed for confirmation of these results are limited. We used a novel combination of in situ measurements of debris-flow dynamics, video imagery, and pre- and postflow 2-cm-resolution digital terrain models to study a natural debris-flow event. Our field data constrain the initial and final reach morphology and key flow dynamics. The observed event consisted of multiple surges, each with clear variation of flow properties along the length of the surge. Steep, highly resistant, surge fronts of coarse-grained material without measurable pore-fluid pressure were pushed along by relatively fine-grained and water-rich tails that had a wide range of pore-fluid pressures (some two times greater than hydrostatic). Surges with larger nonequilibrium pore-fluid pressures had longer travel distances. A wide range of travel distances from different surges of similar size indicates that dynamic flow properties are of equal or greater importance than channel properties in determining where a particular surge will stop. Progressive vertical accretion of multiple surges generated the total thickness of mapped debris-flow deposits; nevertheless, deposits had massive, vertically unstratified sedimentological textures. ?? 2010 Geological Society of America.

Pore Formation During Solidification of Aluminum: Reconciliation of Experimental Observations, Modeling Assumptions, and Classical Nucleation Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousefian, Pedram; Tiryakioğlu, Murat

2018-02-01

An in-depth discussion of pore formation is presented in this paper by first reinterpreting in situ observations reported in the literature as well as assumptions commonly made to model pore formation in aluminum castings. The physics of pore formation is reviewed through theoretical fracture pressure calculations based on classical nucleation theory for homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation, with and without dissolved gas, i.e., hydrogen. Based on the fracture pressure for aluminum, critical pore size and the corresponding probability of vacancies clustering to form that size have been calculated using thermodynamic data reported in the literature. Calculations show that it is impossible for a pore to nucleate either homogeneously or heterogeneously in aluminum, even with dissolved hydrogen. The formation of pores in aluminum castings can only be explained by inflation of entrained surface oxide films (bifilms) under reduced pressure and/or with dissolved gas, which involves only growth, avoiding any nucleation problem. This mechanism is consistent with the reinterpretations of in situ observations as well as the assumptions made in the literature to model pore formation.

CO2 breakthrough pressure and permeability for unsaturated low-permeability sandstone of the Ordos Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yan; Yu, Qingchun

2017-07-01

With rising threats from greenhouse gases, capture and injection of CO2 into suitable underground formations is being considered as a method to reduce anthropogenic emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere. As the injected CO2 will remain in storage for hundreds of years, the safety of CO2 geologic sequestration is a major concern. The low-permeability sandstone of the Ordos Basin in China is regarded as both caprock and reservoir rock, so understanding the breakthrough pressure and permeability of the rock is necessary. Because part of the pore volume experiences a non-wetting phase during the CO2 injection and migration process, the rock may be in an unsaturated condition. And if accidental leakage occurs, CO2 will migrate up into the unsaturated zone. In this study, breakthrough experiments were performed at various degrees of water saturation with five core samples of low-permeability sandstone obtained from the Ordos Basin. The experiments were conducted at 40 °C and pressures of >8 MPa to simulate the geological conditions for CO2 sequestration. The results indicate that the degree of water saturation and the pore structure are the main factors affecting the rock breakthrough pressure and permeability, since the influence of calcite dissolution and clay mineral swelling during the saturation process is excluded. Increasing the average pore radius or most probable pore radius leads to a reduction in the breakthrough pressure and an increase by several orders of magnitude in scCO2 effective permeability. In addition, the breakthrough pressure rises and the scCO2 effective permeability decreases when the water saturation increases. However, when the average pore radius is greater than 0.151 μm, the degree of water saturation will has a little effect on the breakthrough pressure. On this foundation, if the most probable pore radius of the core sample reaches 1.760 μm, the breakthrough pressure will not be impacted by the increasing water saturation. We establish correlations between (1) the breakthrough pressure and average pore radius or most probable pore radius, (2) the breakthrough pressure and scCO2 effective permeability, (3) the breakthrough pressure and water saturation, and (4) the scCO2 effective permeability and water saturation. This study provides practical information for further studies of CO2 sequestration as well as the caprock evaluation.

Single-phase and two-phase flow properties of mesaverde tight sandstone formation; random-network modeling approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashtani, Farzad; Maini, Brij; Kantzas, Apostolos

2016-08-01

3D random networks are constructed in order to represent the tight Mesaverde formation which is located in north Wyoming, USA. The porous-space is represented by pore bodies of different shapes and sizes which are connected to each other by pore throats of varying length and diameter. Pore bodies are randomly distributed in space and their connectivity varies based on the connectivity number distribution which is used in order to generate the network. Network representations are then validated using publicly available mercury porosimetry experiments. The network modeling software solves the fundamental equations of two-phase immiscible flow incorporating wettability and contact angle variability. Quasi-static displacement is assumed. Single phase macroscopic properties (porosity, permeability) are calculated and whenever possible are compared to experimental data. Using this information drainage and imbibition capillary pressure, and relative permeability curves are predicted and (whenever possible) compared to experimental data. The calculated information is grouped and compared to available literature information on typical behavior of tight formations. Capillary pressure curve for primary drainage process is predicted and compared to experimental mercury porosimetry in order to validate the virtual porous media by history matching. Relative permeability curves are also calculated and presented.

Poromicromechanics reveals that physiological bone strains induce osteocyte-stimulating lacunar pressure.

PubMed

Scheiner, Stefan; Pivonka, Peter; Hellmich, Christian

2016-02-01

Mechanical loads which are macroscopically acting onto bony organs, are known to influence the activities of biological cells located in the pore spaces of bone, in particular so the signaling and production processes mediated by osteocytes. The exact mechanisms by which osteocytes are actually able to "feel" the mechanical loading and changes thereof, has been the subject of numerous studies, and, while several hypotheses have been brought forth over time, this topic has remained a matter of debate. Relaxation times reported in a recent experimental study of Gardinier et al. (Bone 46(4):1075-1081, 2010) strongly suggest that the lacunar pores are likely to experience, during typical physiological load cycles, not only fluid transport, but also undrained conditions. The latter entail the buildup of lacunar pore pressures, which we here quantify by means of a thorough multiscale modeling approach. In particular, the proposed model is based on classical poroelasticity theory, and able to account for multiple pore spaces. First, the model reveals distinct nonlinear dependencies of the resulting lacunar (and vascular) pore pressures on the underlying bone composition, highlighting the importance of a rigorous multiscale approach for appropriate computation of the aforementioned pore pressures. Then, the derived equations are evaluated for macroscopic (uniaxial as well as hydrostatic) mechanical loading of physiological magnitude. The resulting model-predicted pore pressures agree very well with the pressures that have been revealed, by means of in vitro studies, to be of adequate magnitude for modulating the responses of biological cells, including osteocytes. This underlines that osteocytes may respond to many types of loading stimuli at the same time, in particular so to fluid flow and hydrostatic pressure.

Microseismicity Induced by Fluid Pressure Drop (Laboratory Study)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turuntaev, Sergey; Zenchenko, Evgeny; Melchaeva, Olga

2013-04-01

Pore pressure change in saturated porous rocks may result in its fracturing (Maury et Fourmaintraux, 1993) and corresponding microseismic event occurrences. Microseismicity due to fluid injection is considered in numerous papers (Maxwell, 2010, Shapiro et al., 2005). Another type of the porous medium fracturing is related with rapid pore pressure drop at some boundary. The mechanism of such fracturing was considered by (Khristianovich, 1985) as a model of sudden coal blowing and by (Alidibirov, Panov, 1998) as a model of volcano eruptions. If the porous saturated medium has a boundary where it directly contacted with fluid under the high pressure (in a hydraulic fracture or in a borehole), and the pressure at that boundary is dropped, the conditions for tensile cracks can be achieved at some distance from the boundary. In the paper, the results of experimental study of saturated porous sample fracturing due to pore pressure rapid drop are discussed. The samples (82 mm high, ∅60 mm) were made of quartz sand, which was cemented by "liquid glass" glue with mass fraction 1%. The sample (porosity 35%, uniaxial unconfined compression strength 2.5 MPa) was placed in a mould and saturated by oil. The upper end of the sample contacted with the mould upper lid, the lower end contacted with fluid. The fluid pressure was increased to 10 MPa and then discharged through the bottom nipple. The pressure increases/drops were repeated 30-50 times. Pore pressure and acoustic emission (AE) were registered by transducers mounted into upper and bottom lids of the mould. It was found, that AE sources (corresponded to microfracturing) were spreading from the open end to the closed end of the sample, and that maximal number of AE events was registered at some distance from the opened end. The number of AE pulses increased with every next pressure drop, meanwhile the number of pulses with high amplitudes diminished. It was found that AE maximal rate corresponded to the fluid pressure gradient maximal values. The model of AE relation with the pore pressure gradient was considered based on the following assumptions: AE event occurred when the pore pressure gradient reaches some critical value; the critical value varies and can be described by Weibull distribution. Permeability variation during the fluid pressure drop was estimated by means of fluid pressure data and pore-elastic equation solution for small time intervals (0.01 sec). The study showed possibility to solve both a direct problem of microseismicity variation relation with fluid pressure changes and an inverse problem of defining permeability by registering microseismic activity variation in particular volume of porous medium alongside with pore pressure measurements at some point.

Axisymmetric deformation of a poroelastic layer overlying an elastic half-space due to surface loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rani, Sunita; Rani, Sunita

2017-11-01

The axisymmetric deformation of a homogeneous, isotropic, poroelastic layer of uniform thickness overlying a homogeneous, isotropic, elastic half-space due to surface loads has been obtained. The fluid and the solid constituents of the porous layer are compressible and the permeability in vertical direction is different from its permeability in horizontal direction. The displacements and pore-pressure are taken as basic state variables. An analytical solution for the pore-pressure, displacements and stresses has been obtained using the Laplace-Hankel transform technique. The case of normal disc loading is discussed in detail. Diffusion of pore-pressure is obtained in the space-time domain. The Laplace inversion is evaluated using the fixed Talbot algorithm and the Hankel inversion using the extended Simpson's rule. Two different models of the Earth have been considered: continental crust model and oceanic crust model. For continental crust model, the layer is assumed to be of Westerly Granite and for the oceanic crust model of Hanford Basalt. The effect of the compressibilities of the fluid as well as solid constituents and anisotropy in permeability has been studied on the diffusion of pore-pressure. Contour maps have been plotted for the diffusion of pore-pressure for both models. It is observed that the pore-pressure changes to compression for the continental crust model with time, which is not true for the oceanic crust.

Variations of permeability and pore size distribution of porous media with pressure.

PubMed

Chen, Quan; Kinzelbach, Wolfgang; Ye, Chaohui; Yue, Yong

2002-01-01

Porosity and permeability of porous and fractured geological media decrease with the exploitation of formation fluids such as petroleum, natural gas, or ground water. This may result in ground subsidence and a decrease of recovery of petroleum, natural gas, or ground water. Therefore, an evaluation of the behavior of permeability and porosity under formation fluid pressure changes is important to petroleum and ground water industries. This study for the first time establishes a method, which allows for the measurement of permeability, porosity, and pore size distribution of cores simultaneously. From the observation of the pore size distribution by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation time spectrometry the mechanisms of pressure-dependent porosity and permeability change can be derived. This information cannot be obtained by traditional methods. As the large-size pores or fractures contribute significantly to the permeability, their change consequently leads to a large permeability change. The contribution of fractures to permeability is even larger than that of pores. Thus, the permeability of the cores with fractures decreased more than that of cores without fractures during formation pressure decrease. Furthermore, it did not recover during formation pressure increase. It can be concluded that in fractures, mainly plastic deformation takes place, while matrix pores mainly show elastic deformation. Therefore, it is very important to keep an appropriate formation fluid pressure during the exploitation of ground water and petroleum in a fractured formation.

Pore Structure Model for Predicting Elastic Wavespeeds in Fluid-Saturated Sandstones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmerman, R. W.; David, E. C.

2011-12-01

During hydrostatic compression, in the elastic regime, ultrasonic P and S wave velocities measured on rock cores generally increase with pressure, and reach asymptotic values at high pressures. The pressure dependence of seismic velocities is generally thought to be due to the closure of compliant cracks, in which case the high-pressure velocities must reflect only the influence of the non-closable, equant "pores". Assuming that pores can be represented by spheroids, we can relate the elastic properties to the pore structure using an effective medium theory. Moreover, the closure pressure of a thin crack-like pore is directly proportional to its aspect ratio. Hence, our first aim is to use the pressure dependence of seismic velocities to invert the aspect ratio distribution. We use a simple analytical algorithm developed by Zimmerman (Compressibility of Sandstones, 1991), which can be used for any effective medium theory. Previous works have used overly restrictive assumptions, such as assuming that the stiff pores are spherical, or that the interactions between pores can be neglected. Here, we assume that the rock contains an exponential distribution of crack aspect ratios, and one family of stiff pores having an aspect ratio lying somewhere between 0.01 and 1. We develop our model in two versions, using the Differential Scheme, and the Mori-Tanaka scheme. The inversion is done using data obtained in dry experiments, since pore fluids have a strong effect on velocities and tend to mask the effect of the pore geometry. This avoids complicated joint inversion of dry and wet data, such as done by Cheng and Toksoz (JGR, 1979). Our results show that for many sets of data on sandstones, we can fit very well the dry velocities. Our second aim is to predict the saturated velocities from our pore structure model, noting that at a given differential stress, the pore structure should be the same as for a dry test. Our results show that the Biot-Gassmann predictions always underpredict the rock stiffness and that, for ultrasonic measurements performed at high frequencies (~MHz), it is more accurate to use the results from effective medium theories, which implicitly assume that the fluid is trapped in the pores. Hence, we use the aspect ratio distribution inverted from dry data, but this time introducing fluid in the pores. For a good number of experimental data on sandstones, our predictions for the saturated velocities match well the experimental data. This validates the use of a spheroidal model for pores. The results are only very weakly dependent on the choice of the effective medium theory. We conclude that our method, which remain relatively simple, is a useful tool to extract the pore aspect ratio distribution, as well as predicting the saturated velocities for sandstones.

Hydraulic impulse generator and frequency sweep mechanism for borehole applications

DOEpatents

Kolle, Jack J.; Marvin, Mark H.; Theimer, Kenneth J.

2006-11-21

This invention discloses a valve that generates a hydraulic negative pressure pulse and a frequency modulator for the creation of a powerful, broadband swept impulse seismic signal at the drill bit during drilling operations. The signal can be received at monitoring points on the surface or underground locations using geophones. The time required for the seismic signal to travel from the source to the receiver directly and via reflections is used to calculate seismic velocity and other formation properties near the source and between the source and receiver. This information can be used for vertical seismic profiling of formations drilled, to check the location of the bit, or to detect the presence of abnormal pore pressure ahead of the bit. The hydraulic negative pressure pulse can also be used to enhance drilling and production of wells.

Impact of geometrical properties on permeability and fluid phase distribution in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehmann, P.; Berchtold, M.; Ahrenholz, B.; Tölke, J.; Kaestner, A.; Krafczyk, M.; Flühler, H.; Künsch, H. R.

2008-09-01

To predict fluid phase distribution in porous media, the effect of geometric properties on flow processes must be understood. In this study, we analyze the effect of volume, surface, curvature and connectivity (the four Minkowski functionals) on the hydraulic conductivity and the water retention curve. For that purpose, we generated 12 artificial structures with 800 3 voxels (the units of a 3D image) and compared them with a scanned sand sample of the same size. The structures were generated with a Boolean model based on a random distribution of overlapping ellipsoids whose size and shape were chosen to fulfill the criteria of the measured functionals. The pore structure of sand material was mapped with X-rays from synchrotrons. To analyze the effect of geometry on water flow and fluid distribution we carried out three types of analysis: Firstly, we computed geometrical properties like chord length, distance from the solids, pore size distribution and the Minkowski functionals as a function of pore size. Secondly, the fluid phase distribution as a function of the applied pressure was calculated with a morphological pore network model. Thirdly, the permeability was determined using a state-of-the-art lattice-Boltzmann method. For the simulated structure with the true Minkowski functionals the pores were larger and the computed air-entry value of the artificial medium was reduced to 85% of the value obtained from the scanned sample. The computed permeability for the geometry with the four fitted Minkowski functionals was equal to the permeability of the scanned image. The permeability was much more sensitive to the volume and surface than to curvature and connectivity of the medium. We conclude that the Minkowski functionals are not sufficient to characterize the geometrical properties of a porous structure that are relevant for the distribution of two fluid phases. Depending on the procedure to generate artificial structures with predefined Minkowski functionals, structures differing in pore size distribution can be obtained.

Modeling Thermal Pressurization Around Shallow Dikes Using Temperature-Dependent Hydraulic Properties: Implications for Deformation Around Intrusions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Townsend, Meredith R.

2018-01-01

Pressurization and flow of groundwater around igneous intrusions depend in part on the hydraulic diffusivity of the host rocks and processes that enhance diffusivity, such as fracturing, or decrease diffusivity, such as mineral precipitation during chemical alteration. Characterizing and quantifying the coupled effects of alteration, pore pressurization, and deformation have significant implications for deformation around intrusions, geothermal energy, contact metamorphism, and heat transfer at mid-ocean ridges. Fractures around dikes at Ship Rock, New Mexico, indicate that pore pressures in the host rocks exceeded hydrostatic conditions by at least 15 MPa following dike emplacement. Hydraulic measurements and petrographic analysis indicate that mineral precipitation clogged the pores of the host rock, reducing porosity from 0.25 to <0.10 and reducing permeability by 5 orders of magnitude. Field data from Ship Rock are used to motivate and constrain numerical models for thermal pore fluid pressurization adjacent to a meter-scale dike, using temperature-dependent hydraulic properties in the host rock as a proxy for porosity loss by mineral precipitation during chemical alteration. Reduction in permeability by chemical alteration has a negligible effect on pressurization. However, reduction in porosity by mineral precipitation increases fluid pressure by constricting pore volume and is identified as a potentially significant source of pressure. A scaling relationship is derived to determine when porosity loss becomes important; if permeability is low enough, pressurization by porosity loss outweighs pressurization by thermal expansion of fluids.

Theoretical Analysis of Pore Pressure Diffusion in Some Basic Rock Mechanics Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braun, Philipp; Ghabezloo, Siavash; Delage, Pierre; Sulem, Jean; Conil, Nathalie

2018-05-01

Non-homogeneity of the pore pressure field in a specimen is an issue for characterization of the thermo-poromechanical behaviour of low-permeability geomaterials, as in the case of the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone ( k < 10-20 m2), a possible host rock for deep radioactive waste disposal in France. In tests with drained boundary conditions, excess pore pressure can result in significant errors in the measurement of material parameters. Analytical solutions are presented for the change in time of the pore pressure field in a specimen submitted to various loading paths and different rates. The pore pressure field in mechanical and thermal undrained tests is simulated with a 1D finite difference model taking into account the dead volume of the drainage system of the triaxial cell connected to the specimen. These solutions provide a simple and efficient tool for the estimation of the conditions that must hold for reliable determination of material parameters and for optimization of various test conditions to minimize the experimental duration, while keeping the measurement errors at an acceptable level.

Numerical simulation of pore pressure changes in levee under flood conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stanisz, Jacek; Borecka, Aleksandra; Pilecki, Zenon; Kaczmarczyk, Robert

2017-11-01

The article discusses the potential for using numerical simulation to assess the development of deformation and pore pressure changes in a levee as a result of the increase and decrease of the flood wave. The simulation made in FLAC 2D did not take into account the filter-erosion deformation associated with seepage in the levee. The simulations were carried out for a field experimental storage consisting of two combined levees, which was constructed with the help of homogeneous cohesive materials with different filtration coefficients. Calculated and measured pore pressure changes were analysed at 4 monitoring points. The water level was increased to 4 m in 96 hours and decreased in 120 hours. The characteristics of the calculated and measured pore pressure changes over time were similar. The maximum values of the calculated and measured pore pressure were almost identical. The only differences were the greater delay of the experimental levee response to changes in water level increase compared to the response of the numerical model. These differences were probably related to filtering-erosion effects during seepage in the levee.

Constraints on the stress state of the San Andreas Fault with analysis based on core and cuttings from San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) drilling phases 1 and 2

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tembe, S.; Lockner, D.; Wong, T.-F.

2009-01-01

Analysis of field data has led different investigators to conclude that the San Andreas Fault (SAF) has either anomalously low frictional sliding strength (?? 0.6). Arguments for the apparent weakness of the SAF generally hinge on conceptual models involving intrinsically weak gouge or elevated pore pressure within the fault zone. Some models assert that weak gouge and/or high pore pressure exist under static conditions while others consider strength loss or fluid pressure increase due to rapid coseismic fault slip. The present paper is composed of three parts. First, we develop generalized equations, based on and consistent with the Rice (1992) fault zone model to relate stress orientation and magnitude to depth-dependent coefficient of friction and pore pressure. Second, we present temperature-and pressure-dependent friction measurements from wet illite-rich fault gouge extracted from San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) phase 1 core samples and from weak minerals associated with the San Andreas Fault. Third, we reevaluate the state of stress on the San Andreas Fault in light of new constraints imposed by SAFOD borehole data. Pure talc (?????0.1) had the lowest strength considered and was sufficiently weak to satisfy weak fault heat flow and stress orientation constraints with hydrostatic pore pressure. Other fault gouges showed a systematic increase in strength with increasing temperature and pressure. In this case, heat flow and stress orientation constraints would require elevated pore pressure and, in some cases, fault zone pore pressure in excess of vertical stress. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

Constraints on the stress state of the San Andreas fault with analysis based on core and cuttings from SAFOD drilling phases I and II

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lockner, David A.; Tembe, Cheryl; Wong, Teng-fong

2009-01-01

Analysis of field data has led different investigators to conclude that the San Andreas Fault (SAF) has either anomalously low frictional sliding strength (m < 0.2) or strength consistent with standard laboratory tests (m > 0.6). Arguments for the apparent weakness of the SAF generally hinge on conceptual models involving intrinsically weak gouge or elevated pore pressure within the fault zone. Some models assert that weak gouge and/or high pore pressure exist under static conditions while others consider strength loss or fluid pressure increase due to rapid coseismic fault slip. The present paper is composed of three parts. First, we develop generalized equations, based on and consistent with the Rice (1992) fault zone model to relate stress orientation and magnitude to depth-dependent coefficient of friction and pore pressure. Second, we present temperature- and pressure-dependent friction measurements from wet illite-rich fault gouge extracted from San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) phase 1 core samples and from weak minerals associated with the San Andreas Fault. Third, we reevaluate the state of stress on the San Andreas Fault in light of new constraints imposed by SAFOD borehole data. Pure talc (m0.1) had the lowest strength considered and was sufficiently weak to satisfy weak fault heat flow and stress orientation constraints with hydrostatic pore pressure. Other fault gouges showed a systematic increase in strength with increasing temperature and pressure. In this case, heat flow and stress orientation constraints would require elevated pore pressure and, in some cases, fault zone pore pressure in excess of vertical stress.

Differential retention and release of CO 2 and CH 4 in kerogen nanopores: Implications for gas extraction and carbon sequestration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ho, Tuan Anh; Wang, Yifeng; Xiong, Yongliang

Methane (CH 4) and carbon dioxide (CO 2), the two major components generated from kerogen maturation, are stored dominantly in nanometer-sized pores in shale matrix as (1) a compressed gas, (2) an adsorbed surface species and/or (3) a species dissolved in pore water (H 2O). In addition, supercritical CO 2 has been proposed as a fracturing fluid for simultaneous enhanced oil/gas recovery (EOR) and carbon sequestration. A mechanistic understanding of CH 4-CO 2-H 2O interactions in shale nanopores is critical for designing effective operational processes. Using molecular simulations, we show that kerogen preferentially retains CO 2 over CH 4 andmore » that the majority of CO 2 either generated during kerogen maturation or injected in EOR will remain trapped in the kerogen matrix. The trapped CO 2 may be released only if the reservoir pressure drops below the supercritical CO 2 pressure. When water is present in the kerogen matrix, it may block CH 4 release. Furthermore, the addition of CO 2 may enhance CH 4 release because CO 2 can diffuse through water and exchange for adsorbed methane in the kerogen nanopores.« less

Differential retention and release of CO 2 and CH 4 in kerogen nanopores: Implications for gas extraction and carbon sequestration

DOE PAGES

Ho, Tuan Anh; Wang, Yifeng; Xiong, Yongliang; ...

2018-02-06

Methane (CH 4) and carbon dioxide (CO 2), the two major components generated from kerogen maturation, are stored dominantly in nanometer-sized pores in shale matrix as (1) a compressed gas, (2) an adsorbed surface species and/or (3) a species dissolved in pore water (H 2O). In addition, supercritical CO 2 has been proposed as a fracturing fluid for simultaneous enhanced oil/gas recovery (EOR) and carbon sequestration. A mechanistic understanding of CH 4-CO 2-H 2O interactions in shale nanopores is critical for designing effective operational processes. Using molecular simulations, we show that kerogen preferentially retains CO 2 over CH 4 andmore » that the majority of CO 2 either generated during kerogen maturation or injected in EOR will remain trapped in the kerogen matrix. The trapped CO 2 may be released only if the reservoir pressure drops below the supercritical CO 2 pressure. When water is present in the kerogen matrix, it may block CH 4 release. Furthermore, the addition of CO 2 may enhance CH 4 release because CO 2 can diffuse through water and exchange for adsorbed methane in the kerogen nanopores.« less

Development of Overpressures at Nankai Accretionary Prism, Ocean Drilling Program Sites 1173 and 1174

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gamage, K.; Screaton, E.

2003-12-01

In this study, we used a one-dimensional model of sedimentation, initial prism loading, and fluid flow to examine the development of overpressures at the toe of the Nankai accretionary complex. A permeability-porosity relationship was established for hemipelagic sediments from laboratory measured permeabilities as an input to the model. Vertical permeabilities were measured for 10 core samples from the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 190, Sites 1173 and 1174, from the upper and lower Shikoku Basin facies. Both sites were drilled along the Muroto Transect through the dècollement zone or its equivalent. Site 1173 is located 11 km seaward of the deformation front and it represents the undeformed incoming sediments, where as Site 1174 represents sediments within the proto-thrust zone. Although turbidite-rich sediments dominate the Nankai accretionary prism, the dècollement and underthrust sediments are primarily composed of hemipelagic muds. Using the permeability-porosity relationship, our modeling results indicate excess pore pressures that are greater than 30% of lithostatic pressure at the toe of the prism at a convergence rate of 4cm/yr. These values are slightly lower than previously inferred excess pore pressures estimated from porosity data. Additional runs were conducted to simulate a 10-m thick low permeability barrier at the dècollement where vertical fluid flow is restricted. The low permeability barrier required a permeability less than 1 x 10-19 m2 to generate excess pore pressures greater than 50% of lithostatic pressure. Modeling was further extended to test the significance of variable prism loading rates due to uncertainties in the convergence rate and affects of lateral stress above the dècollement.

Permeability changes induced by microfissure closure and opening in tectonized materials. Effect on slope pore pressure regime.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De la Fuente, Maria; Vaunat, Jean; Pedone, Giuseppe; Cotecchia, Federica; Sollecito, Francesca; Casini, Francesca

2015-04-01

Tectonized clays are complex materials characterized by several levels of structures that may evolve during load and wetting/drying processes. Some microstructural patterns, as microfissures, have a particular influence on the value of permeability which is one of the main factors controlling pore pressure regime in slopes. In this work, the pore pressure regime measured in a real slope of tectonized clay in Southern Italy is analyzed by a numerical model that considers changes in permeability induced by microfissure closure and opening during the wetting and drying processes resulting from climatic actions. Permeability model accounts for the changes in Pore Size Distribution observed by Microscopy Intrusion Porosimetry. MIP tests are performed on representative samples of ground in initial conditions ("in situ" conditions) and final conditions (deformed sample after applying a wetting path that aims to reproduce the saturation of the soil under heavy rains). The resulting measurements allow for the characterization at microstructural level of the soil, identifying the distribution of dominant families pores in the sample and its evolution under external actions. Moreover, comparison of pore size density functions allows defining a microstructural parameter that depends on void ratio and degree of saturation and controls the variation of permeability. Model has been implemented in a thermo-hydro-mechanical code provided with a special boundary condition for climatic actions. Tool is used to analyze pore pressure measurements obtained in the tectonized clay slope. Results are analyzed at the light of the effect that permeability changes during wetting and drying have on the pore pressure regime.

Research of CO2 and N2 Adsorption Behavior in K-Illite Slit Pores by GCMC Method

PubMed Central

Chen, Guohui; Lu, Shuangfang; Zhang, Junfang; Xue, Qingzhong; Han, Tongcheng; Xue, Haitao; Tian, Shansi; Li, Jinbu; Xu, Chenxi; Pervukhina, Marina; Clennell, Ben

2016-01-01

Understanding the adsorption mechanisms of CO2 and N2 in illite, one of the main components of clay in shale, is important to improve the precision of the shale gas exploration and development. We investigated the adsorption mechanisms of CO2 and N2 in K-illite with varying pore sizes at the temperature of 333, 363 and 393 K over a broad range of pressures up to 30 MPa using the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation method. The simulation system is proved to be reasonable and suitable through the discussion of the impact of cation dynamics and pore wall thickness. The simulation results of the excess adsorption amount, expressed per unit surface area of illite, is in general consistency with published experimental results. It is found that the sorption potential overlaps in micropores, leading to a decreasing excess adsorption amount with the increase of pore size at low pressure, and a reverse trend at high pressure. The excess adsorption amount increases with increasing pressure to a maximum and then decreases with further increase in the pressure, and the decreasing amount is found to increase with the increasing pore size. For pores with size greater larger than 2 nm, the overlap effect disappears. PMID:27897232

Measurement of variation in soil solute tracer concentration across a range of effective pore sizes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harvey, Judson W.

1993-01-01

Solute transport concepts in soil are based on speculation that solutes are distributed nonuniformly within large and small pores. Solute concentrations have not previously been measured across a range of pore sizes and examined in relation to soil hydrological properties. For this study, modified pressure cells were used to measure variation in concentration of a solute tracer across a range of pore sizes. Intact cores were removed from the site of a field tracer experiment, and soil water was eluted from 10 or more discrete classes of pore size. Simultaneous changes in water content and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were determined on cores using standard pressure cell techniques. Bromide tracer concentration varied by as much as 100% across the range of pore sizes sampled. Immediately following application of the bromide tracer on field plots, bromide was most concentrated in the largest pores; concentrations were lower in pores of progressively smaller sizes. After 27 days, bromide was most dilute in the largest pores and concentrations were higher in the smaller pores. A sharp, threefold decrease in specific water capacity during elution indicated separation of two major pore size classes at a pressure of 47 cm H2O and a corresponding effective pore diameter of 70 μm. Variation in tracer concentration, on the other hand, was spread across the entire range of pore sizes investigated in this study. A two-porosity characterization of the transport domain, based on water retention criteria, only broadly characterized the pattern of variation in tracer concentration across pore size classes during transport through a macroporous soil.

Ultrasonic Inspection and Fatigue Evaluation of Critical Pore Size in Welds.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code ) 20...Five porosity levels were produced that parallelled ASME boiler and pressure vessel code specification (Section VIII). Appendix IV of the pressure...Figure 2 shows porosity charts (ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code ) which classify and designate the number and size of pores in any six inch length

ROLE OF PRESSURE IN SMECTITE DEHYDRATION - EFFECTS ON GEOPRESSURE AND SMECTITE-TO-ILLITE TRANSFORMATION.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Colten-Bradley, Virginia

1987-01-01

Evaluation of the effects of pressure on the temperature of interlayer water loss (dehydration) by smectites under diagenetic conditions indicates that smectites are stable as hydrated phases in the deep subsurface. Hydraulic and differential pressure conditions affect dehydration differently. The temperature of dehydration increase with pore fluid pressure and interlayer water density. The temperatures of dehydration increase with pore fluid pressure and interlayer water density. The temperatures of dehydration under differential-presssure conditions are inversely related to pressure and interlayer water density. The model presented assumes the effects of pore fluid composition and 2:1 layer reactivity to be negligible. Agreement between theoretical and experimental results validate this assumption. Additional aspects of the subject are discussed.

Hydrocarbon generation and expulsion in shale Vs. carbonate source rocks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leythaeuser, D.; Krooss, B.; Hillebrand, T.

1993-09-01

For a number of commercially important source rocks of shale and of carbonate lithologies, which were studied by geochemical, microscopical, and petrophysical techniques, a systematic comparison was made of the processes on how hydrocarbon generation and migration proceed with maturity progress. In this way, several fundamental differences between both types of source rocks were recognized, which are related to differences of sedimentary facies and, more importantly, of diagenetic processes responsible for lithification. Whereas siliciclastic sediments lithify mainly by mechanical compaction, carbonate muds get converted into lithified rocks predominantly by chemical diagenesis. With respect to their role as hydrocarbon source rocks,more » pressure solution processes appear to be key elements. During modest burial stages and prior to the onset of hydrocarbon generation reactions by thermal decomposition of kerogen, pressure solution seams and stylolites. These offer favorable conditions for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion-a three-dimensional kerogen network and high organic-matter concentrations that lead to effective saturation of the internal pore fluid system once hydrocarbon generation has started. As a consequence, within such zones pore fluids get overpressured, leading ultimately to fracturing. Petroleum expulsion can then occur at high efficiencies and in an explosive fashion, whereby clay minerals and residual kerogen particles are squeezed in a toothpaste-like fashion into newly created fractures. In order to elucidate several of the above outlined steps of hydrocarbon generation and migration processes, open-system hydrous pyrolysis experiments were performed. This approach permits one to monitor changes in yield and composition of hydrocarbon products generated and expelled at 10[degrees]C temperature increments over temperature range, which mimics in the laboratory the conditions prevailing in nature over the entire liquid window interval.« less

Slip-weakening zone sizes at nucleation of catastrophic subaerial and submarine landslides by gradually increasing pore pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viesca, R. C.; Rice, J. R.

2011-12-01

We address the nucleation of dynamic landslide rupture in response to gradual pore pressure increases. Nucleation marks the onset of acceleration of the overlying slope mass due to the suddenly rapid enlargement of a sub-surface zone of shear failure, previously deforming quasi-statically. We model that zone as a planar surface undergoing initially linear slip-weakening frictional failure within a bordering linear-elastic medium. The results are also relevant to earthquake nucleation. The sub-surface rupture zone considered runs parallel to the free surface of a uniform slope, under a 2D plane-strain deformation state. We show results for ruptures with friction coefficients following linear slip weakening (i.e., the residual friction is not yet reached). For spatially broad increases in pore pressure, the nucleation length depends on a ratio of depth to a cohesive zone length scale. In the very broad-increase limit, a direct numerical solution for nucleation lengths compares well with solutions to a corresponding eigenvalue problem (similar to Uenishi and Rice [JGR '03]), in which spatial variations in normal stress are neglected. We estimate nucleation lengths for subaerial and submarine conditions using data [e.g., Bishop et al., Géotech. '71; Stark et al., JGGE '05] from ring-shear tests on sediments (peak friction fp = 0.5, frictional slip-weakening rate within the range w = -df/d(slip) = 0.1/cm-1/cm). We assume that only pre-stresses, and not material properties, vary with depth. With such fp and w, we find for a range of subsurface depths and shear moduli μ that nucleation lengths are typically several hundred meters long for shallow undersea slopes, and up to an order of magnitude less for steeper slopes on the Earth's surface. In the submarine case, this puts nucleation lengths in a size range comparable to observed pore-pressure-generated seafloor disturbances as pockmarks [e.g., Gay et al., MG '06].

Untangling Topographic and Climatic Forcing of Earthflow Motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finnegan, N. J.; Nereson, A. L.

2017-12-01

Earthflows commonly form in steep river canyons and are argued to initiate from rapid incision that destabilizes hill slope toes. At the same time, earthflows are known to exhibit a temporal pattern of movement that is correlated with seasonal precipitation and associated changes in effective stress. In this contribution, we use infinite slope analysis to illuminate the relative roles of topographic slope and climate (via its control on pore fluid pressure) in influencing earthflow motion at Oak Ridge earthflow, near San Jose, CA. To this end, we synthesize two years of shallow (2.7 m depth) pore fluid pressure data and continuous GPS-derived velocities with an 80-year record of historical deformation derived from tracking of trees and rocks on orthophotos along much of the 1.4 km length and 400 m relief of the earthflow. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that motion of Oak Ridge earthflow occurs as frictional sliding along a discrete failure surface, as argued for other earthflows. Spatial patterns of sliding velocity along the earthflow show the same sensitivity to topographic slope for five discrete periods of historical sliding, accelerating by roughly an order of magnitude along a 20 degree increase in earthflow gradient. In contrast, during the 2016-2017 winter, velocity increased much more rapidly for an equivalent increase in driving stress due to pore-fluid pressure rise at our GPS antenna. During this time period, Oak Ridge earthflow moved approximately 30 cm and we observed a relatively simple, non-linear relationship between GPS-derived sliding velocity and shallow pore fluid pressure. Rapid sliding in 2016-2017 (> 0.6 cm/day) occurred exclusively during the week following a large winter storm event that raised pore pressures to seasonal highs within only 1-2 days of the storm peak. These observations suggests that a mechanism, such as dilatant strengthening, acts to stabilize velocities for a given value of pore fluid pressure in the landslide mass. They also suggest that earthflow motion is more sensitive to pore-fluid pressure forcing than to topographic forcing and challenge the view that attenuation of pore fluid pressure with depth renders large landslides relatively insensitive to high frequency climate variability.

Capsule- and disk-filter procedure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Skrobialowski, Stanley C.

2016-01-01

Capsule and disk filters are disposable, self-contained units composed of a pleated or woven filter medium encased in a polypropylene or other plastic housing that can be connected inline to a sample-delivery system (such as a submersible or peristaltic pump) that generates sufficient pressure (positive or negative) to force water through the filter. Filter media are available in several pore sizes, but 0.45 µm is the pore size used routinely for most studies at this time. Capsule or disk filters (table 5.2.1.A.1) are required routinely for most studies when filtering samples for trace-element analyses and are recommended when filtering samples for major-ion or other inorganic-constituent analyses.

Methane gas hydrate effect on sediment acoustic and strength properties

USGS Publications Warehouse

Winters, W.J.; Waite, W.F.; Mason, D.H.; Gilbert, L.Y.; Pecher, I.A.

2007-01-01

To improve our understanding of the interaction of methane gas hydrate with host sediment, we studied: (1) the effects of gas hydrate and ice on acoustic velocity in different sediment types, (2) effect of different hydrate formation mechanisms on measured acoustic properties (3) dependence of shear strength on pore space contents, and (4) pore pressure effects during undrained shear.A wide range in acoustic p-wave velocities (Vp) were measured in coarse-grained sediment for different pore space occupants. Vp ranged from less than 1 km/s for gas-charged sediment to 1.77–1.94 km/s for water-saturated sediment, 2.91–4.00 km/s for sediment with varying degrees of hydrate saturation, and 3.88–4.33 km/s for frozen sediment. Vp measured in fine-grained sediment containing gas hydrate was substantially lower (1.97 km/s). Acoustic models based on measured Vp indicate that hydrate which formed in high gas flux environments can cement coarse-grained sediment, whereas hydrate formed from methane dissolved in the pore fluid may not.The presence of gas hydrate and other solid pore-filling material, such as ice, increased the sediment shear strength. The magnitude of that increase is related to the amount of hydrate in the pore space and cementation characteristics between the hydrate and sediment grains. We have found, that for consolidation stresses associated with the upper several hundred meters of sub-bottom depth, pore pressures decreased during shear in coarse-grained sediment containing gas hydrate, whereas pore pressure in fine-grained sediment typically increased during shear. The presence of free gas in pore spaces damped pore pressure response during shear and reduced the strengthening effect of gas hydrate in sands.

Fluid displacement fronts in porous media: pore scale interfacial jumps, pressure bursts and acoustic emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moebius, Franziska; Or, Dani

2014-05-01

The macroscopically smooth and regular motion of fluid fronts in porous media is composed of numerous rapid pore-scale interfacial jumps and pressure bursts that involve intense interfacial energy release in the form of acoustic emissions. The characteristics of these pore scale events affect residual phase entrapment and transport properties behind the front. We present experimental studies using acoustic emission technique (AE), rapid imaging, and liquid pressure measurements to characterize these processes during drainage and imbibition in simple porous media. Imbibition and drainage produce different AE signatures (AE amplitudes obey a power law). For rapid drainage, AE signals persist long after cessation of front motion reflecting fluid redistribution and interfacial relaxation. Imaging revealed that the velocity of interfacial jumps often exceeds front velocity by more than 50 fold and is highly inertial component (Re>1000). Pore invasion volumes reduced deduced from pressure fluctuations waiting times (for constant withdrawal rates) show remarkable agreement with geometrically-deduced pore volumes. Discrepancies between invaded volumes and geometrical pores increase with increasing capillary numbers due to constraints on evacuation opportunity times and simultaneous invasion events. A mechanistic model for interfacial motions in a pore-throat network was developed to investigate interfacial dynamics focusing on the role of inertia. Results suggest that while pore scale dynamics were sensitive to variations in pore geometry and boundary conditions, inertia exerted only a minor effect on phase entrapment. The study on pore scale invasion events paints a complex picture of rapid and inertial motions and provides new insights on mechanisms at displacement fronts that are essential for improved macroscopic description of multiphase flows in porous media.

Pore-Lining Composition and Capillary Breakthrough Pressure of Mudstone Caprocks: Sealing Efficiency of Geologic CO2 Storage Sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heath, J. E.; Dewers, T. A.; McPherson, B. J.; Kotula, P. G.

2010-12-01

Subsurface containment of CO2 is predicated on effective caprock sealing. Many previous studies have relied on macroscopic measurements of capillary breakthrough pressure and other petrophysical properties without direct examination of solid phases that line pore networks and directly contact fluids. However, pore-lining phases strongly contribute to sealing behavior through interfacial interactions among CO2, brine, and the mineral or non-mineral phases. Our high resolution (i.e., sub-micron) examination of the composition of pore-lining phases of several continental and marine mudstones indicates that sealing efficiency (i.e., breakthrough pressure) is governed by pore shapes and pore-lining phases that are not identifiable except through direct characterization of pores. Bulk X-ray diffraction data does not indicate which phases line the pores and may be especially lacking for mudstones with organic material. Organics can line pores and may represent once-mobile phases that modify the wettability of an originally clay-lined pore network. For shallow formations (i.e., < ~800 m depth), interfacial tension and contact angles result in breakthrough pressures that may be as high as those needed to fracture the rock—thus, in the absence of fractures, capillary sealing efficiency is indicated. Deeper seals have poorer capillary sealing if mica-like wetting dominates the wettability. We thank the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory and the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, and the Southeast and Southwest Carbon Sequestration Partnerships for supporting this work. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Company, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Observations of wave-induced pore pressure gradients and bed level response on a surf zone sandbar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Dylan; Cox, Dan; Mieras, Ryan; Puleo, Jack A.; Hsu, Tian-Jian

2017-06-01

Horizontal and vertical pressure gradients may be important physical mechanisms contributing to onshore sediment transport beneath steep, near-breaking waves in the surf zone. A barred beach was constructed in a large-scale laboratory wave flume with a fixed profile containing a mobile sediment layer on the crest of the sandbar. Horizontal and vertical pore pressure gradients were obtained by finite differences of measurements from an array of pressure transducers buried within the upper several centimeters of the bed. Colocated observations of erosion depth were made during asymmetric wave trials with wave heights between 0.10 and 0.98 m, consistently resulting in onshore sheet flow sediment transport. The pore pressure gradient vector within the bed exhibited temporal rotations during each wave cycle, directed predominantly upward under the trough and then rapidly rotating onshore and downward as the wavefront passed. The magnitude of the pore pressure gradient during each phase of rotation was correlated with local wave steepness and relative depth. Momentary bed failures as deep as 20 grain diameters were coincident with sharp increases in the onshore-directed pore pressure gradients, but occurred at horizontal pressure gradients less than theoretical critical values for initiation of the motion for compact beds. An expression combining the effects of both horizontal and vertical pore pressure gradients with bed shear stress and soil stability is used to determine that failure of the bed is initiated at nonnegligible values of both forces.