Discrete Element Simulation on Macro-Meso Mechanical Characteristics of Natural Gas Hydrate-Bearing Sediments under Shearing

In order to study the macro-meso shear mechanical characteristics of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediments, the direct shear simulations of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediment specimens with different saturations under different normal stress boundary conditions were carried out using the discrete element simulation program of particle flow, and the macro-meso shear mechanical characteristics of the specimens and their evolution laws were obtained, and their shear damage mechanisms were revealed. The results show that the peak intensity of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediments increases with the increase in normal stress and hydrate saturation. Hydrate particles and sand particles jointly participate in the formation and evolution of the force chain, and sand particles account for the majority of the force chain particles and take the main shear resistance role. The number of cracks produced by shear increases with hydrate saturation and normal stress. The average porosity in the shear zone shows an evolutionary pattern of decreasing and then increasing during the shear process.

Automated summary

This study used the discrete element simulation program to conduct direct shear simulations of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediment specimens with different saturations, revealing their shear mechanical characteristics and evolution laws. The results show that the peak intensity of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediments increases with the increase in normal stress and hydrate saturation, with sand particles playing a major role in shear resistance.