Fatigue behaviour of geomaterials under cyclic environmental loading

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Cyclic loadings are commonly encountered in engineering applications. Wind exerts dynamic loads on tall buildings. Wave and ice load imposes threat to offshore structures and transportation infra-structures in arctic waters. Seasonal variation of precipitation and water table imposes repeated loads on earthworks. Cyclic freezing-thawing of ground along with traffic loads affect the long-term performance of pavements and buried utilities. Natural geohazards such as earthquakes and landslides are cyclic and dynamic in essence. Mineral mining and oil and gas extraction also involve cyclic loading to the surrounding environment. The long-term objective of this proposed research program is to develop techniques to quantify fatigue behaviour and expected life span of different geomaterials under cyclic loading encountered in the field so that new technologies can be developed for prevention of hazards, protection of the Environment, and optimization of material life span and natural resource recovery. The first type of geomaterials studied in this proposed research is Montney Formation which is one of the major natural oil and gas resources in Canada. Due to its tight pore structure, hydraulic fracturing (HF) has been used for exploitation of this resource. It involves high-pressure injection of chemically treated fluid into the formation to create a fracture network enhancing oil and gas production. Potential risks to natural water sources by contamination of fracture fluid and hydrocarbons resulting from hydraulic fracturing have raised public concerns. Hydraulic fracturing also induces seismic events which may impose detrimental effects on surface facilities. There is an urgent need to modify the current HF treatment to enhance the hydraulic flow in this tight material and reduce the amount of seismic energy released from the treatment. We propose to unlock the tight material by failing it in a controllable "fatigue" manner. It is well known that materials fail in a cyclic fatigue mode under a cyclic applied stress lower than that in a monotonic mode. We postulate that a lower fracturing pressure is required to disintegrate the tight material under cyclic (pulsation) loading. Under controlled pulsation process, the fractured zone may be more homogeneous rather than localized. The first stage of the research program involves experimentation in laboratory scale. In the second stage the test data will be used and implemented to feasibility studies of small-scale field experiments. The third stage is the development of novel technologies for exploitation of Montney Formation. This research program clearly carries both scientific and socio-environmental-economic impacts. Findings from this research program are readily transferred to research fields as listed above. Technology transfer and collaboration with industrial partners and regulators address public concerns, promote protection of the Environment, and enhance our economy and employment.