Laboratory studies on fracturing of low-permeability soils

Hydraulic and pneumatic fracturing have been used to improve the effectiveness of most in situ remediation methods for contaminated sites underlain with unfavorable low-permeability soils. This paper presents results of a laboratory experimental investigation to characterize the mechanisms related to the initiation pressure and growth of fractures stimulated from vertical and horizontal wells. The mechanisms of fracture in low-permeability soils appeared to be of a tensile failure mechanism enhanced by the generation of pore pressure as the soil around the well was being sheared due to the radial-tangential stress difference imposed by the injected pressure. The impacts of initial fracture slots on fracture orientation and initiation pressure were also investigated. The test results have demonstrated that the presence of initial fracture slots could reduce the injection pressure required to initiate fracture in the well. The initial slot, however, did not necessarily control the orientation of the propagating fracture. The effect of imposed stresses in the soil was evaluated also and was found to influence the orientation and propagation of fracture. Smaller stress contrast favored multiple deviated fractures, whereas larger stress contrast favored distinct fractures.Key words: soil fracturing, laboratory test, low-permeability soil, fracture propagation.