Shear fracture behavior and fracture fractal characteristics of granite under adverse effect of cyclic heating

Abstract

Deep geothermal extraction processes expose rock masses to frequent and significant temperature fluctuations. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the shear fracture mechanisms and crack propagation behaviors in rocks under the influence of cyclic heating is imperative for optimizing geothermal energy extraction. This study encompasses several critical aspects under cyclic heating conditions, including the assessment of stress distribution states, the characterization of two-dimensional fracture paths, the quantitative analysis of three-dimensional damage characteristics on fracture surfaces, and the determination of the fractal dimension of debris generated after the failure of granite. The test results demonstrate that cyclic heating has a pronounced adverse effect on the physical and mechanical properties of granite. Consequently, stress tends to develop and propagate in a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional fracture path. This leads to an increase in the extent of tensile damage on the fracture surface and accelerates the overall rock failure process. This increases the number of small-sized debris, raises the fractal dimension, and enhances the rock’s rupture degree. In practical enhanced geothermal energy extraction, the real-time monitoring of fracture propagation within the reservoir rock mass is achieved through the analysis of rock debris generated during the staged fracturing process.

Keywords

progressive thermal damage / stress distribution characteristics / two-dimensional fracture path / three-dimensional fracture surface failure characteristics / fractal dimension

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