Hydraulic fracturing in clayey soils can be triggered by either tensile or shear failure. In this paper, the physical meanings of various equations to predict fracture initiation pressure proposed in the past are discussed using the cavity expansion theory. In particular, when fracturing pressure is plotted against initial confining pressure, published laboratory test results as well as analytical models show a linear relationship. When the slope is close to 2, fracture is initiated by tensile failure of the clay, whereas when the slope is close to 1, it is initiated by shear failure of the clay. In this study, the analytical models, validated only on laboratory test data to date, were applied to unique data from field grouting work in which extensive soil fracturing was carried out to improve the mechanical characteristics of the soft silty clay underlying a bell tower in Venice, Italy. By a careful assessment of initial confining pressure in the field, the variation in recorded injection pressures with confining pressure was examined. Results suggest that the fractures at this site were likely to be initiated by shear failure of the clay, and the values were similar to what was predicted by the model with the shear failure criterion.

Fracturing Pressure in Clay / M. Marchi; G. Gottardi; K. Soga. - In: JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING. - ISSN 1090-0241. - STAMPA. - 140:2(2014), pp. 04013008-1-04013008-9. [10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001019]

Fracturing Pressure in Clay

MARCHI, MICHELA;GOTTARDI, GUIDO;
2014

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing in clayey soils can be triggered by either tensile or shear failure. In this paper, the physical meanings of various equations to predict fracture initiation pressure proposed in the past are discussed using the cavity expansion theory. In particular, when fracturing pressure is plotted against initial confining pressure, published laboratory test results as well as analytical models show a linear relationship. When the slope is close to 2, fracture is initiated by tensile failure of the clay, whereas when the slope is close to 1, it is initiated by shear failure of the clay. In this study, the analytical models, validated only on laboratory test data to date, were applied to unique data from field grouting work in which extensive soil fracturing was carried out to improve the mechanical characteristics of the soft silty clay underlying a bell tower in Venice, Italy. By a careful assessment of initial confining pressure in the field, the variation in recorded injection pressures with confining pressure was examined. Results suggest that the fractures at this site were likely to be initiated by shear failure of the clay, and the values were similar to what was predicted by the model with the shear failure criterion.
2014
Fracturing Pressure in Clay / M. Marchi; G. Gottardi; K. Soga. - In: JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING. - ISSN 1090-0241. - STAMPA. - 140:2(2014), pp. 04013008-1-04013008-9. [10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001019]
M. Marchi; G. Gottardi; K. Soga
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/298132
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