An approach to hydraulic fracture in geomaterials through a porous brittle damage material model

A coupled hydromechanical code based on a distributed brittle damage material model has been developed in order to simulate hydraulic fracturing processes. As specific feature, the code does not assume the development of a discrete number of sharp cracks but considers a diffused damage that takes place under overall confinement of the system. The code is validated against a laboratory test reproducing the local effects of a hydraulic fracturing procedure. The numerical model of the laboratory test is then used to conduct a parametric analysis where the influence of the principal hydromechanical parameters on the hydraulic fracturing performance is assessed. Finally, the code is applied to simulate multiple hydraulic fracturing interventions in a large scale shale reservoir. In all applications considered, the model shows a good predictive capability in terms of damage extension. © 2018, The Author(s).