Journal of Northeastern University:Natural Science ›› 2015, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (9): 1337-1341.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1005-3026.2015.09.026

• Resources & Civil Engineering • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Mesh Sensitivity Analysis of the Solution to Hydraulic Fracture Problems Based on a Smeared Crack Model

LI Ming1,2, LIANG Li1, GUO Pei-jun2, LI Xin1   

  1. 1. School of Resources & Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China; 2. Department of Civil Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton L8S4L8, Canada.
  • Received:2014-07-14 Revised:2014-07-14 Online:2015-09-15 Published:2015-09-14
  • Contact: LI Ming
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Abstract: Mesh quality is an important factor that affects the simulation results in nonlinear soil/rock mechanic problems. The effect of aspect ratio of element (AR) on calculation was analyzed in numerical solution of hydraulic fracture for the smeared crack model. Elasticity was measured by adopting the porous elastic (PE) and linear elastic (LE) constitutive models. Regarding to material yielding and failure, both the Drucker-Prager (DP) and Mohr-Coulomb (MC) models were considered. Based on a comprehensive analysis, it is concluded that no matter which constitutive model is adopted, there always exists mesh sensitivity. If the direction of fracture propagation is known, the AR should be between 2.8 and 8.0 to obtain stable results. If the direction is unknown, it is recommended that the LE constitutive model as well as the MC/DP plasticity model should be used together with the AR equal to 1.0.

Key words: mesh sensitivity, hydraulic fracture, smeared crack model, aspect ratio of element (AR), finite element method

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