Shapes of Hydraulic Fractures in the Neighborhood of Cylindrical Cavity

The article presents the theoretical and experimental results on propagation of hydraulic fractures in the neighborhood of an extended cylindrical cavity in an isotropic elastic medium under the hydrostatic stress and in the triaxial stress field composed of unequal components. The influence exerted on the curvature and volume of the created fractures by the fracture initiator and cavity spacing, as well as by the strength and compression of the medium is illustrated. The main types and conditions of the created fractures are described. The physical simulation and the full-scale experiment prove the numerical research reliability and the applicability of the program and method solutions in design of hydraulic fracturing at short distances from underground openings and structures.

Automated summary

The article discusses the theoretical and experimental results on the propagation of hydraulic fractures around an extended cylindrical cavity in an isotropic elastic medium. It illustrates the influence of factors such as the fracture initiator, cavity spacing, strength, and compression of the medium on the curvature and volume of the created fractures. The study describes the main types and conditions of the created fractures, and demonstrates the reliability and applicability of numerical research in the design of hydraulic fracturing at short distances from underground openings and structures through physical simulation and full-scale experiments.