Multi-scale characterization of the hydromechanical behavior of a heterogeneous porous sandstone using neutron and X-ray tomographies

IF 5.7 1区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, GEOLOGICAL

Acta Geotechnica Pub Date : 2025-05-15 DOI:10.1007/s11440-025-02621-y

Fernando Vieira Lima, Stephen Hall, Jonas Engqvist, Erika Tudisco, Robin Woracek, Alessandro Tengattini, Cyrille Couture

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Abstract

Understanding the hydromechanical behavior of porous media such as sandstones is critical to various geoengineering applications such as geologic carbon storage, geothermal projects, oil and gas production and environmental remediation in aquifers. In these contexts, accurate quantification of the constitutive hydromechanical behavior of sandstones is necessary to predict reservoir responses. In this work, neutron tomography data were acquired during coupled triaxial-flow tests on Idaho Gray sandstone cores to characterize the full-field hydromechanical response. The hydromechanical response was then correlated to macroscopic observations obtained at the sample boundaries and to the initial natural microstructural heterogeneity characterized using high-resolution X-ray tomography. The flow tests involved saturating samples with D₂O and performing volume-driven H₂O injection, with rapid (1-min) neutron in situ tomography. Digital volume correlation (DVC) on high-resolution neutron tomography data enabled tracking of 3D strain evolution describing the mechanical deformation. Neutron tomography data acquired during the permeability tests enabled 4D (3D + time) fluid flow analysis, revealing heterogeneous percolation paths. The comparison of the initial porosity and strain fields indicated that sample porosity heterogeneity influenced both strain evolution and shear band localization. Additionally, a relationship was identified between the evolution of the fluid flow field and the strain field. Notably, changes in percolation paths correlated with the evolution of the volumetric strain field.

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利用中子和x射线层析成像对非均质多孔砂岩的流体力学行为进行多尺度表征

了解砂岩等多孔介质的流体力学行为对于地质储碳、地热项目、油气生产和含水层环境修复等各种地球工程应用至关重要。在这种情况下，准确量化砂岩的本构流体力学行为是预测储层响应的必要条件。在这项工作中，在爱达荷灰色砂岩岩心的耦合三轴流试验中获得了中子层析成像数据，以表征全场流体力学响应。然后将流体力学响应与在样品边界处获得的宏观观察结果以及使用高分辨率x射线断层扫描表征的初始自然微观结构非均质性相关联。流动测试包括用D2O饱和样品，并进行体积驱动的H2O注入，使用快速（1分钟）中子原位层析成像。高分辨率中子层析成像数据的数字体积相关（DVC）可以跟踪描述机械变形的三维应变演变。渗透率测试期间获得的中子层析成像数据可以进行4D （3D +时间）流体流动分析，揭示非均质渗流路径。初始孔隙度和应变场的对比表明，试样孔隙度的非均质性既影响应变演化，也影响剪切带局部化。此外，还确定了流体流场的演变与应变场之间的关系。值得注意的是，渗流路径的变化与体积应变场的演化相关。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Acta Geotechnica ENGINEERING, GEOLOGICAL-

CiteScore

9.90

自引率

17.50%

发文量

297

审稿时长

4 months

期刊介绍： Acta Geotechnica is an international journal devoted to the publication and dissemination of basic and applied research in geoengineering – an interdisciplinary field dealing with geomaterials such as soils and rocks. Coverage emphasizes the interplay between geomechanical models and their engineering applications. The journal presents original research papers on fundamental concepts in geomechanics and their novel applications in geoengineering based on experimental, analytical and/or numerical approaches. The main purpose of the journal is to foster understanding of the fundamental mechanisms behind the phenomena and processes in geomaterials, from kilometer-scale problems as they occur in geoscience, and down to the nano-scale, with their potential impact on geoengineering. The journal strives to report and archive progress in the field in a timely manner, presenting research papers, review articles, short notes and letters to the editors.