FORMS OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURES IN SHALLOW FINE-GRAINED FORMATIONS

Hydraulic fractures have been created in fine-grained formations at depths of 2-10 m to improve the performance of environmental remediation projects at dozens of locations and under a variety of geologic conditions. The effectiveness of a hydraulic fracture during remediation depends primarily on its form; that is, its shape, thickness, orientation, length, width, and location with respect to the borehole. The forms of many hydraulic fractures have been determined by mapping exposures in excavations and by compiling split-spoon sampling data. These observations indicate that a typical hydraulic fracture at shallow depths is gently dipping, slightly elongate in plan, and slightly asymmetric with respect to the parent borehole. Shallow hydraulic fractures lift the ground surface to produce gentle domes, and the pattern of uplift reflects the location and thickness of the fracture at depth. The forms of hydraulic fractures created over a narrow range of depths at the same site are similar, but the forms can vary markedly between sites and at different depths at the same site. This indicates that the forms of hydraulic fractures will be somewhat consistent when created under similar conditions, but changes in geologic conditions can markedly affect fracture form.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3519342
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Murdoch, L C
  • Slack, W W
• Publication Date: 2002-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 479-487
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Volume: 128
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1090-0241
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/gto

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boreholes; Fine grained soils; Foundation engineering; Fracture mechanics; Geological activities and processes; Geotechnical engineering; Highway engineering; Hydraulic fracturing; Soil mechanics; Soil science
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00925082
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 30 2002 12:00AM