Friction-Stability-Permeability Evolution of a Fracture in Granite

Ishibashi, Takuya; Elsworth, Derek; Fang, Yi; Riviere, Jacques; Madara, Benjamin; Asanuma, Hiroshi; Watanabe, Noriaki; Marone, Chris

doi:10.1029/2018wr022598

Title: Friction-Stability-Permeability Evolution of a Fracture in Granite

Journal Article · Wed Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2018 · Water Resources Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2018wr022598· OSTI ID:1613389

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National Inst. of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Koriyama (Japan)
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States); Univ. Grenoble Alpes (France)
Tohoku Univ., Aoba‐ku (Japan)

The evolution of frictional strength, stability, and fracture permeability is intimately linked both to the seismic cycle and to the impact of hydraulic stimulation for fractured reservoirs. However, despite this importance, the poromechanical relationships between fault permeability and strength remain unclear. The present study explores this relationship via laboratory experiments for concurrent shear-flow on smooth fractures of Westerly granite. The novelty of these experiments is that the shear velocity is precisely controlled during the measurement of fracture permeability. Results indicate permeability enhancement during velocity-weakening (potentially unstable) frictional slip. To decipher key processes contributing to this response, we evaluate the state of contacting asperities and of fracture surface asperities via digital rock fracture modeling of statistically equivalent surfaces. We propose two plausible mechanisms constraining the relationship between friction and permeability evolution—one based on changes in asperity contact distribution and one on shear-induced dilation triggered by changes in fault slip velocity. Finally, these mechanisms should be taken into account in interpreting field observation such as the abrupt permeability increase of natural faults at the onset of seismic slip.

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Research Organization:: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0006762; FE0023354

OSTI ID:: 1613389

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1484955

Journal Information:: Water Resources Research, Vol. 54, Issue 12; ISSN 0043-1397

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 40 works

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