A thermodynamically consistent J-integral formulation for fluid-driven fracture propagation in poroelastic continua

We present a model for fluid-driven propagation of discrete fractures in poroelastic continua. The developed model incorporates skin (surface permeability) and fluid slip effects at the fracture walls, which are especially relevant for subsurface applications. The development of a fracture propagation criterion requires adequate incorporation of all dissipative mechanisms involved. This work proposes a thermodynamically consistent J-integral formulation for fracture propagation based on the theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics. The proposed poroelastic J-integral formulation is validated in the stationary setting using analytical approximations. The propagation criterion is implemented in an extended finite element method (X-FEM) simulation framework for propagating fractures. This simulation framework is used to gain insight into the role of skin and slip effects on fluid-driven fracture propagation in poroelastic media.

Automated summary

This paper presents a model for fluid-driven propagation of discrete fractures in poroelastic continua. The model considers the skin permeability and fluid slip effects at the fracture walls, which are particularly important for subsurface applications. The development of a fracture propagation criterion requires the incorporation of all dissipative mechanisms involved. This work proposes a thermodynamically consistent J-integral formulation for fracture propagation based on the theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics. The proposed poroelastic J-integral formulation is validated using analytical approximations in the stationary setting. The propagation criterion is implemented in an extended finite element method (X-FEM) simulation framework for propagating fractures, providing insights into the role of skin and slip effects on fluid-driven fracture propagation in poroelastic media.