Fractured rock stress‐permeability relationships from in situ data and effects of temperature and chemical‐mechanical couplings

Rutqvist, J.

doi:10.1111/gfl.12089

Fractured rock stress‐permeability relationships from in situ data and effects of temperature and chemical‐mechanical couplings

Journal Article · Fri Sep 19 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Geofluids

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gfl.12089· OSTI ID:1221699

Rutqvist, J. ^[1]

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Berkeley CA USA

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to (i) review field data on stress‐induced permeability changes in fractured rock; (ii) describe estimation of fractured rock stress‐permeability relationships through model calibration against such field data; and (iii) discuss observations of temperature and chemically mediated fracture closure and its effect on fractured rock permeability. The field data that are reviewed include in situ block experiments, excavation‐induced changes in permeability around tunnels, borehole injection experiments, depth (and stress) dependent permeability, and permeability changes associated with a large‐scale rock‐mass heating experiment. Data show how the stress‐permeability relationship of fractured rock very much depends on local in situ conditions, such as fracture shear offset and fracture infilling by mineral precipitation. Field and laboratory experiments involving temperature have shown significant temperature‐driven fracture closure even under constant stress. Such temperature‐driven fracture closure has been described as thermal overclosure and relates to better fitting of opposing fracture surfaces at high temperatures, or is attributed to chemically mediated fracture closure related to pressure solution (and compaction) of stressed fracture surface asperities. Back‐calculated stress‐permeability relationships from field data may implicitly account for such effects, but the relative contribution of purely thermal‐mechanical and chemically mediated changes is difficult to isolate. Therefore, it is concluded that further laboratory and in situ experiments are needed to increase the knowledge of the true mechanisms behind thermally driven fracture closure, and to further assess the importance of chemical‐mechanical coupling for the long‐term evolution of fractured rock permeability.

View Journal Article

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1221699

Journal Information:: Geofluids, Journal Name: Geofluids Journal Issue: 1-2 Vol. 15; ISSN 1468-8115

Publisher:: Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Canada

Language:: English

References (59)

Scaling of fluid flow versus fracture stiffness: SCALING FLOW-STIFFNESS Petrovitch, Christopher L.; Nolte, David D.; Pyrak-Nolte, Laura J. Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 40, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1002/grl.50479	journal	May 2013
Reverse water-level change during interference slug tests in fractured rock: REVERSE WATER-LEVEL RESPONSE DURING SLUG TESTS Slack, Trever Z.; Murdoch, Lawrence C.; Germanovich, Leonid N. Water Resources Research, Vol. 49, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1002/wrcr.20095	journal	March 2013
The shear strength of rock joints in theory and practice Barton, N.; Choubey, V. Rock Mechanics Felsmechanik M�canique des Roches, Vol. 10, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01261801	journal	December 1977
Modeling of damage, permeability changes and pressure responses during excavation of the TSX tunnel in granitic rock at URL, Canada Rutqvist, Jonny; Börgesson, Lennart; Chijimatsu, Masakazu Environmental Geology, Vol. 57, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1515-6	journal	September 2008
A comparative simulation study of coupled THM processes and their effect on fractured rock permeability around nuclear waste repositories Rutqvist, Jonny; Barr, Deborah; Birkholzer, Jens T. Environmental Geology, Vol. 57, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1552-1	journal	October 2008
A case study on the influence of THM coupling on the near field safety of a spent fuel repository in sparsely fractured granite Nguyen, Thanh Son; Börgesson, Lennart; Chijimatsu, Masakazu Environmental Geology, Vol. 57, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1565-9	journal	October 2008
ISRM Suggested Method for Step-Rate Injection Method for Fracture In-Situ Properties (SIMFIP): Using a 3-Components Borehole Deformation Sensor Guglielmi, Yves; Cappa, Frederic; Lançon, Hervé Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 47, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0517-1	journal	December 2013
The role of hydromechanical coupling in fractured rock engineering Rutqvist, Jonny; Stephansson, Ove Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 11, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-002-0241-5	journal	January 2003
Semi-empirical equations for the systematic decrease in permeability with depth in porous and fractured media Jiang, Xiao-Wei; Wang, Xu-Sheng; Wan, Li Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 18, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0575-3	journal	February 2010
Hydromechanical behavior during constant-rate pumping tests in fractured gneiss Schweisinger, Todd; Svenson, Erik J.; Murdoch, Lawrence C. Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 19, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-011-0728-z	journal	May 2011
Normal-stress dependence of fracture hydraulic properties including two-phase flow properties Liu, Hui-Hai; Wei, Ming-Yao; Rutqvist, Jonny Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 21, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-012-0915-6	journal	November 2012
The Geomechanics of CO2 Storage in Deep Sedimentary Formations Rutqvist, Jonny Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Vol. 30, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-011-9491-0	journal	January 2012
Earthquake nucleation on faults with rate-and state-dependent strength Dieterich, James H. Tectonophysics, Vol. 211, Issue 1-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90055-B	journal	September 1992
Elastic and transport properties of an in situ jointed granite Pratt, H. R.; Swolfs, H. S.; Brace, W. F. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 14, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(77)90560-5	journal	January 1977
Fundamentals of rock joint deformation Bandis, S. C.; Lumsden, A. C.; Barton, N. R. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 20, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(83)90595-8	journal	December 1983
Hydrological properties of Topopah Spring tuff under a thermal gradient—Laboratory results Lin, Wunan; Daily, W. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 27, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(90)92712-N	journal	October 1990
The progressive fracture of Lac du Bonnet granite Martin, C. D.; Chandler, N. A. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 31, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(94)90005-1	journal	December 1994
Determination of hydraulic normal stiffness of fractures in hard rock from well testing Rutqvist, J. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 32, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(95)00039-J	journal	July 1995
A cyclic hydraulic jacking test to determine the in situ stress normal to a fracture Rutqvist, J.; Stephansson, O. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 33, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(96)00013-7	journal	October 1996
Analysis of thermal–hydrologic–mechanical behavior near an emplacement drift at Yucca Mountain Rutqvist, Jonny; Tsang, Chin-Fu Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Vol. 62-63 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-7722(02)00184-5	journal	April 2003
Recent experiments in hard rocks to study the excavation response: Implications for the performance of a nuclear waste geological repository Bäckblom, G.; Martin, C. D. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 14, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0886-7798(99)00053-X	journal	July 1999
Temporal alteration of fracture permeability in granite under hydrothermal conditions and its interpretation by coupled chemo-mechanical model Yasuhara, Hide; Kinoshita, Naoki; Ohfuji, Hiroaki Applied Geochemistry, Vol. 26, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.07.005	journal	December 2011
A numerical study on the long term thermo-poroelastic effects of cold water injection into naturally fractured geothermal reservoirs Koh, Joshua; Roshan, Hamid; Rahman, Sheik S. Computers and Geotechnics, Vol. 38, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2011.03.007	journal	July 2011
Geomechanical effects on CO2 leakage through fault zones during large-scale underground injection Rinaldi, Antonio P.; Rutqvist, Jonny; Cappa, Frédéric International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Vol. 20 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.11.001	journal	January 2014
Stress-dependent permeability of fractured rock masses: a numerical study Min, Ki-Bok; Rutqvist, J.; Tsang, Chin-Fu International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 41, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.05.005	journal	October 2004
Geohydromechanical processes in the Excavation Damaged Zone in crystalline rock, rock salt, and indurated and plastic clays—in the context of radioactive waste disposal Tsang, Chin-Fu; Bernier, F.; Davies, C. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 42, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.08.003	journal	January 2005
Excavation-induced damage studies at the Underground Research Laboratory Martino, J. B.; Chandler, N. A. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 41, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.09.010	journal	December 2004
A numerical study of THM effects on the near-field safety of a hypothetical nuclear waste repository—BMT1 of the DECOVALEX III project. Part 3: Effects of THM coupling in sparsely fractured rocks Rutqvist, J.; Chijimatsu, M.; Jing, L. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 42, Issue 5-6 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.03.012	journal	July 2005
Use of in situ fiber optic sensors to characterize highly heterogeneous elastic displacement fields in fractured rocks Cappa, F.; Guglielmi, Y.; Gaffet, S. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 43, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.09.016	journal	June 2006
Hydromechanical modelling of pulse tests that measure fluid pressure and fracture normal displacement at the Coaraze Laboratory site, France Cappa, F.; Guglielmi, Y.; Rutqvist, J. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 43, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2006.03.006	journal	October 2006
Stress effects on permeability in a fractured rock mass with correlated fracture length and aperture Baghbanan, Alireza; Jing, Lanru International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 45, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.01.015	journal	December 2008
Analysis of thermally induced changes in fractured rock permeability during 8 years of heating and cooling at the Yucca Mountain Drift Scale Test Rutqvist, J.; Freifeld, B.; Min, K. -B. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 45, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.01.016	journal	December 2008
Normal stiffness of fractures in granitic rock: A compilation of laboratory and in-situ experiments Zangerl, C.; Evans, K. F.; Eberhardt, E. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 45, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.02.001	journal	December 2008
Estimation of fracture normal stiffness using a transmissivity-depth correlation Jiang, Xiao-Wei; Wan, Li; Wang, Xu-Sheng International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 46, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.03.007	journal	January 2009
Chemically and mechanically mediated influences on the transport and mechanical characteristics of rock fractures Min, Ki-Bok; Rutqvist, Jonny; Elsworth, Derek International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 46, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.04.002	journal	January 2009
Thermal–hydrologic–mechanical–chemical processes in the evolution of engineered geothermal reservoirs Taron, Joshua; Elsworth, Derek International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 46, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2009.01.007	journal	July 2009
Coupled seismo-hydromechanical monitoring of inelastic effects on injection-induced fracture permeability Derode, Benoit; Cappa, Frédéric; Guglielmi, Yves International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 61 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2013.03.008	journal	July 2013
Field evaluation of the hydromechanical behavior of flat-lying fractures during slug tests Svenson, Erik; Schweisinger, Todd; Murdoch, Lawrence C. Journal of Hydrology, Vol. 359, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2008.06.004	journal	September 2008
Linked multicontinuum and crack tensor approach for modeling of coupled geomechanics, fluid flow and transport in fractured rock Rutqvist, Jonny; Leung, Colin; Hoch, Andrew Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 5, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2012.08.001	journal	February 2013
Impact of stress on solute transport in a fracture network: A comparison study Zhao, Zhihong; Rutqvist, Jonny; Leung, Colin Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 5, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2013.01.002	journal	April 2013
The excavation damaged zone in clay formations time-dependent behaviour and influence on performance assessment Blümling, Peter; Bernier, Frédéric; Lebon, Patrick Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, Vol. 32, Issue 8-14 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2006.04.034	journal	January 2007
Modeling of fault reactivation and induced seismicity during hydraulic fracturing of shale-gas reservoirs Rutqvist, Jonny; Rinaldi, Antonio P.; Cappa, Frédéric Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 107 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2013.04.023	journal	July 2013
Permeability reduction of a natural fracture under net dissolution by hydrothermal fluids: PERMEABILITY REDUCTION OF A NATURAL FRACTURE Polak, A.; Elsworth, D.; Yasuhara, H. Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 30, Issue 20 https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL017575	journal	October 2003
Evolution of permeability in a natural fracture: Significant role of pressure solution Yasuhara, Hideaki Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 109, Issue B3 https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JB002663	journal	January 2004
Modeling of thermally driven hydrological processes in partially saturated fractured rock Tsang, Y. W.; Birkholzer, J. T.; Mukhopadhyay, S. Reviews of Geophysics, Vol. 47, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1029/2008RG000265	journal	January 2009
Storage change in a flat-lying fracture during well tests: STORAGE CHANGE IN A FRACTURE Murdoch, Lawrence C.; Germanovich, Leonid N. Water Resources Research, Vol. 48, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1029/2011WR011571	journal	December 2012
Multiphysics processes in partially saturated fractured rock: Experiments and models from Yucca Mountain: THM IN PARTIALLY SATURATED ROCK Rutqvist, Jonny; Tsang, Chin-Fu Reviews of Geophysics, Vol. 50, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1029/2012RG000391	journal	September 2012
Coupled hydromechanical-thermochemical processes in rock fractures Tsang, Chin-Fu Reviews of Geophysics, Vol. 29, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1029/91RG01832	journal	January 1991
Self-propping and fluid flow in slightly offset joints at high effective pressures Durham, W. B.; Bonner, B. P. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 99, Issue B5 https://doi.org/10.1029/94JB00242	journal	May 1994
Observations of a potential size effect in experimental determination of the hydraulic properties of fractures Witherspoon, P. A.; Amick, C. H.; Gale, J. E. Water Resources Research, Vol. 15, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1029/WR015i005p01142	journal	October 1979
Rock Fracture Spacings, Openings, and Porosities Snow, David T. Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, Vol. 94, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1061/JSFEAQ.0001097	journal	January 1968
Field measurements of normal and shear fracture compliance: Field measurements of normal and shear fracture compliance Hobday, C.; Worthington, M. H. Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 60, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2011.01000.x	journal	August 2011
Permeability of the continental crust: dynamic variations inferred from seismicity and metamorphism Ingebritsen, S. E.; Manning, C. E. Geofluids https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-8123.2010.00278.x	journal	February 2010
Introduction to Hydromechanical Well Tests in Fractured Rock Aquifers Schweisinger, Todd; Svenson, Erik J.; Murdoch, Lawrence C. Ground Water, Vol. 47, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2008.00501.x	journal	January 2009
How faulting keeps the crust strong Townend, John; Zoback, Mark D. Geology, Vol. 28, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<399:HFKTCS>2.0.CO;2	journal	January 2000
The scaling of fracture compliance Worthington, M. H.; Lubbe, R. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, Vol. 270, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2007.270.01.05	journal	January 2007
Linking Thermal, Hydrological, and Mechanical Processes in Fractured Rocks Tsang, Chin-Fu Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Vol. 27, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.earth.27.1.359	journal	May 1999
In Situ Field Testing of Processes Wang, J. https://doi.org/10.2172/837100	report	December 2001
Drift Scale THM Model Rutqvist, J. https://doi.org/10.2172/840429	report	October 2004

Similar Records

Chemically- and mechanically-mediated influences on the transport and mechanical characteristics of rock fractures

Journal Article · Sat Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 2009 · International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mineral Sciences · OSTI ID:950852

Analysis of Thermally Induced Changes in Fractured Rock Permeability during Eight Years of Heating and Cooling at the Yucca Mountain Drift Scale Test

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences · OSTI ID:940396

Fractured rock stress‐permeability relationships from in situ data and effects of temperature and chemical‐mechanical couplings

Citation Formats

References (59)

Similar Records

Related Subjects