Computed Tomography Observation and Image-Based Simulation of Fracture Propagation in Compressed Coal

Abstract

In this study, the fracture propagation characteristics and associated mechanisms of coal are investigated by using computed tomography (CT) observation and image-based simulation. The spatial distribution and the structural morphology of original fractures provide significant influences on the failure behavior of fractured coal. The fractures with small dip angles and large openings result in more-obvious fracture closure and stable propagation stages, while failure pattern is more sensitive to those with large dip angles. The coal tends to experience brittle failure, which transits from a splitting to mixed-splitting faulting mode because of the difference in original fracture distribution. The final failure fracture network originates mainly from the propagation of original fractures, driven by localized tensile stress. Fracture interaction and mineral influence tend to increase the complexity in the failure fracture network. Moreover, image-based numerical models are established on the basis of CT reconstruction, where the spatial distribution and the structural morphology of original fractures are properly considered. Numerical modeling reproduces similar stress–strain responses and failure fracture networks to that observed in the experiment. The predicted distribution of tensile stress shows a similar evolution trend to the failure fracture network, implying that the fracture propagation of coal is dominated by tensile failure. Shear cracks emerge mainly after the large fracture running through the coal sample has been formed.

A Fast Workflow for Automatically Extracting the Apparent Attitude of Fractures in 3-D Digital Core Images

“…They discussed the application of the CT method in assessing the evolution of microstructure and macroscopic properties during gas adsorption, temperature changes, and damage deformation [39]. Wang et al (2023) conducted uniaxial compression tests on coal samples. They obtained fracture dig angles and other parameters through CT observations and utilized these data for numerical simulation to further examine fracture extension characteristics and related mechanisms [40].…”

“…Wang et al (2023) conducted uniaxial compression tests on coal samples. They obtained fracture dig angles and other parameters through CT observations and utilized these data for numerical simulation to further examine fracture extension characteristics and related mechanisms [40].…”