Stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks

Elastic wave velocities in rocks vary with stress due to the presence of discontinuities and microcracks within the rock. In this paper, we analytically derive a model for seismic anisotropy caused by small triaxial stresses. We first consider a linearly isotropic elastic medium permeated by a distr...

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Main Authors: Collet, Olivia, Gurevich, Boris, Madadi, Mahyar, Pervukhina, Marina
Other Authors: SEG
Format: Conference Paper
Published: SEG 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6936
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author Collet, Olivia
Gurevich, Boris
Madadi, Mahyar
Pervukhina, Marina
author2 SEG
author_facet SEG
Collet, Olivia
Gurevich, Boris
Madadi, Mahyar
Pervukhina, Marina
author_sort Collet, Olivia
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Elastic wave velocities in rocks vary with stress due to the presence of discontinuities and microcracks within the rock. In this paper, we analytically derive a model for seismic anisotropy caused by small triaxial stresses. We first consider a linearly isotropic elastic medium permeated by a distribution of cracks with random orientations. The geometry of cracks is not specified; instead, their behavior is defined by a ratio B of their normal to tangential excess compliances. When this isotropic rock is subjected to small triaxial stresses, crack closure occurs perpendicular to the applied stresses. This effect is modeled using Sayers and Kachanaov (1995) non-interactive approximation. The model predicts ellipsoidal anisotropy and also expresses the ratios of Thomsen’s parameters ε/γ as a function of the compliance and Poisson’s ratios in the three orthogonal planes of symmetry. A reasonable agreement was obtained when comparing the model predictions to laboratory measurements for small stresses (up to 20 MPa). These results could be used to differentiate stress-induced anisotropy from that caused by aligned fractures. Besides, if the cause of anisotropy is known, then this model could enable one to fully estimate the elasticity tensor from log data.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-69362018-12-14T00:46:39Z Stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks Collet, Olivia Gurevich, Boris Madadi, Mahyar Pervukhina, Marina SEG velocity rock physics elastic anisotropy Elastic wave velocities in rocks vary with stress due to the presence of discontinuities and microcracks within the rock. In this paper, we analytically derive a model for seismic anisotropy caused by small triaxial stresses. We first consider a linearly isotropic elastic medium permeated by a distribution of cracks with random orientations. The geometry of cracks is not specified; instead, their behavior is defined by a ratio B of their normal to tangential excess compliances. When this isotropic rock is subjected to small triaxial stresses, crack closure occurs perpendicular to the applied stresses. This effect is modeled using Sayers and Kachanaov (1995) non-interactive approximation. The model predicts ellipsoidal anisotropy and also expresses the ratios of Thomsen’s parameters ε/γ as a function of the compliance and Poisson’s ratios in the three orthogonal planes of symmetry. A reasonable agreement was obtained when comparing the model predictions to laboratory measurements for small stresses (up to 20 MPa). These results could be used to differentiate stress-induced anisotropy from that caused by aligned fractures. Besides, if the cause of anisotropy is known, then this model could enable one to fully estimate the elasticity tensor from log data. 2012 Conference Paper http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6936 10.1190/segam2012-0919.1 SEG restricted
spellingShingle velocity
rock physics
elastic
anisotropy
Collet, Olivia
Gurevich, Boris
Madadi, Mahyar
Pervukhina, Marina
Stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks
title Stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks
title_full Stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks
title_fullStr Stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks
title_full_unstemmed Stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks
title_short Stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks
title_sort stress-induced anisotropy model for triaxially stressed rocks
topic velocity
rock physics
elastic
anisotropy
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6936