Computational Modeling of the Process: Principles
Résumé
This chapter describes the various ingredients that will be put together in order to achieve numerical simulations of the electrohydraulic fracturing process in the context of hydrocarbon production. It first discusses the theoretical model from which the pressure generated by the pulsed area electric discharge (PAED) can be derived. The chapter then describes the mechanical modeling of the rocks under dynamic loads. In the case of dynamic load, which applies in electrohydraulic fracturing, it is essential to account for the time-dependent response of the material. Finally, the chapter reviews the coupled effects between the growth of damage due to microfracturing and the growth of permeability. In the 3D coordinate system corresponding to the principal axes of damage, damage in one direction is due to cracking in orthogonal directions. Hence, damage growth in one direction generates an increase in permeability in the two orthogonal directions.