Abstract
Clarifying the geomechanical properties and inherent heterogeneity of layered rocks is essential for predicting fracture morphology and designing hydraulic fracturing pum** schemes. Grid nanoindentation combined with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) techniques were used to investigate mechanical differences between the sandstone layer and the mudstone layer for the downhole thinly interbedded core rocks (layered core rocks). Subsequently, the indent impressions and mechanical responses of individual minerals and multiple minerals were quantified. On this basis, the bulk mechanical properties and failure modes of the layered core rocks are investigated under confining pressures. Results indicate that quartz exhibits the highest hardness and Young’s modulus with the smallest indent impression, whereas kaolinite exhibits the opposite in each layer. When the indenter covers multiple minerals simultaneously, the mechanical responses of which are determined by the softer phases. Moreover, minerals exhibit diverse deformations and cracking patterns in different layers. Quartz shows elastic-dominated deformation in the sandstone layer, whereas medium-plastic deformation in the mudstone layer. Since the unstable sheet structures, kaolinite exhibits plastic-dominated deformation in each layer. Shear cracks and radical cracks are prone to occur in elastic-dominated minerals, while chip** damage is induced in plastic-dominated minerals. In addition, the failures of the layered core rocks tend to create along the mudstone layer since the lower mechanical properties. With the increasing of confining pressure, the compressive strength of layered core rocks gradually grows and the failure changes from tensile splitting to tensile–shear mixed failure mode and shear failure mode. The key findings of this paper can provide reliable input data for multiscale geomechanical modeling in understanding proppant embedment mechanisms and designing hydraulic fracturing treatments in coal measure strata.
Highlights
-
The mechanical responses and indent impressions of individual minerals and multiple minerals are quantified and compared in different layers.
-
Quartz shows elastic-dominated deformation in the sandstone layer, whereas medium-plastic deformation in the mudstone layer.
-
The mechanical responses of multiple minerals are determined by the softer phases and irregular indent impressions are generated.
-
The failure of the layered rocks changes from tensile splitting to shear failure with the increase of confining pressure in a macro-scale.
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig1_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig2_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig3_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig4_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig5_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig6_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig7_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig8_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig9_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig10_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig11_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig12_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig13_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-023-03360-w/MediaObjects/603_2023_3360_Fig14_HTML.png)
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability Statement
The data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Bjørlykke K (2014) Relationships between depositional environments, burial history and rock properties. Some principal aspects of diagenetic process in sedimentary basins. Sed Geol 301:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2013.12.002
Bor B, Giuntini D, Domènech B, Swain MV, Schneider GA (2019) Nanoindentation-based study of the mechanical behavior of bulk supercrystalline ceramic-organic nanocomposites. J Eur Ceram Soc 39:3247–3256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2019.03.053
Cao Z, Wang Q, Cheng H (2021) Recent advances in kaolinite-based material for photocatalysts. Chin Chem Lett 32:2617–2628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cclet.2021.01.009
Charlton TS, Goodarzi M, Rouainia M, Aplin AC, Cubillas P (2021) Effect of diagenesis on geomechanical properties of organic-rich calcareous shale: a multiscale investigation. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 126:e2020JB021365. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB021365
Chen Y, Zuo J, Liu D, Wang Z (2019) Deformation failure characteristics of coal–rock combined body under uniaxial compression: experimental and numerical investigations. Bull Eng Geol Env 78:3449–3464. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1336-0
Cheng YT, Li Z, Cheng CM (2002) Scaling relationships for indentation measurements. Philos Mag A 82:1821–1829. https://doi.org/10.1080/01418610208235693
Cheng P, Zhang CP, Ma ZY, Zhou JP, Zhang DC, Liu XF, Chen H, Ranjith PG (2022) Experimental study of micromechanical properties alterations of shale matrix treated by ScCO2-Water saturation using nanoindentation tests. Energy 242:122965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.122965
Domnich V, Gogotsi Y, Dub S (2000) Effect of phase transformations on the shape of the unloading curve in the nanoindentation of silicon. Appl Phys Lett 76:2214–2216. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.126300
Du J, Whittle AJ, Hu L, Divoux T, Meegoda JN (2021) Characterization of meso-scale mechanical properties of Longmaxi shale using grid microindentation experiments. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 13:555–567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2020.09.009
Fu S, Hou B, **a Y, Chen M, Wang S, Tan P (2022) The study of hydraulic fracture height growth in coal measure shale strata with complex geologic characteristics. J Pet Sci Eng 211:110164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2022.110164
Gao Q, Ghassemi A (2020) Three dimensional finite element simulations of hydraulic fracture height growth in layered formations using a coupled hydro-mechanical model. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 125:104137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2019.104137
Graham SP, Rouainia M, Aplin AC, Cubillas P, Fender TD, Armitage PJ (2021) Geomechanical characterisation of organic-rich calcareous shale using AFM and nanoindentation. Rock Mech Rock Eng 54:303–320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-020-02261-6
Groves DI, Vielreicher RM, Goldfarb RJ, Condie KC (2005) Controls on the heterogeneous distribution of mineral deposits through time. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 248:71–101. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2005.248.01.04
Gu H, Siebrits E (2008) Effect of formation modulus contrast on hydraulic fracture height containment. SPE Prod Oper 23:170–176. https://doi.org/10.2118/103822-pa
Hafezi R, Akhavan A, Pakseresht S, Wood AD (2021) Global natural gas demand to 2025: a learning scenario development model. Energy 224:120167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.120167
Hamza A, Hussein IA, Al-Marri MJ, Mahmoud M, Shawabkeh R, Aparicio S (2021) CO2 enhanced gas recovery and sequestration in depleted gas reservoirs: a review. J Pet Sci Eng 196:107685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107685
Hay J, Agee P, Herbert E (2010) Continuous stiffness measurement during instrumented indentation testing. Exp Tech 34:86–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1567.2010.00618.x
Hoek E, Martin CD (2014) Fracture initiation and propagation in intact rock—a review. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 6:287–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2014.06.001
Hu Q, Liu L, Li Q, Wu Y, Wang X, Jiang Z, Yan F, Xu Y, Wu X (2020) Experimental investigation on crack competitive extension during hydraulic fracturing in coal measures strata. Fuel 265:117003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.117003
** X, Shah SN, Roegiers J-C, Zhang B (2014) Fracability evaluation in shale reservoirs-an integrated petrophysics and geomechanics approach, paper presented at SPE hydraulic fracturing technology conference. OnePetro. https://doi.org/10.2118/168589-MS
Ju W, Shen J, Qin Y, Meng S, Wu C, Shen Y, Yang Z, Li G, Li C (2017) In-situ stress state in the Linxing region, eastern Ordos Basin, China: implications for unconventional gas exploration and production. Mar Pet Geol 86:66–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.05.026
Katende A, O’Connell L, Rich A, Rutqvist J, Radonjic M (2021) A comprehensive review of proppant embedment in shale reservoirs: experimentation, modeling and future prospects. J Natl Gas Sci Eng 95:104143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2021.104143
Kossovich EL, Borodich FM, Epshtein SA, Galanov BA (2020) Indentation of bituminous coals: fracture, crushing and dust formation. Mech Mater 150:103570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmat.2020.103570
Li H (2022) Research progress on evaluation methods and factors influencing shale brittleness: a review. Energy Rep 8:4344–4358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.03.120
Li J, Wu K (2022) An efficient model for hydraulic fracture height growth considering the effect of bedding layers in unconventional shale formations. SPE J. https://doi.org/10.2118/210572-PA
Li CX, Wang DM, Kong LY (2021) Mechanical response of the Middle Bakken rocks under triaxial compressive test and nanoindentation. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2021.104660
Liao Z, Li X, Ge L, Yang Z, Zhu J, Xue Q, Wang H (2022) Lightweight proppants in unconventional oil and natural gas development: a review. Sustain Mater Technol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2022.e00484
Liu J, Wang E, Song D, Wang S, Niu Y (2015) Effect of rock strength on failure mode and mechanical behavior of composite samples. Arab J Geosci 8:4527–4539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1574-9
Liu K, Ostadhassan M, Bubach B (2016) Applications of nano-indentation methods to estimate nanoscale mechanical properties of shale reservoir rocks. J Natl Gas Sci Eng 35:1310–1319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2016.09.068
Liu K, Ostadhassan M, Bubach B, Ling K, Tokhmechi B, Robert D (2018) Statistical grid nanoindentation analysis to estimate macro-mechanical properties of the Bakken Shale. J Natl Gas Sci Eng 53:181–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2018.03.005
Liu H, Zhang Z, Zhang T (2022a) Shale gas investment decision-making: green and efficient development under market, technology and environment uncertainties. Appl Energy 306:118002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118002
Liu Y, Liu A, Liu S, Kang Y (2022b) Nano-scale mechanical properties of constituent minerals in shales investigated by combined nanoindentation statistical analyses and SEM-EDS-XRD techniques. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 159:105187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2022.105187
Lu J, Huang G, Gao H, Li X, Zhang D, Yin G (2020) Mechanical properties of layered composite coal–rock subjected to true triaxial stress. Rock Mech Rock Eng 53:4117–4138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-020-02148-6
Luo SM, Lu YH, Wu YK, Song JL, DeGroot DJ, ** Y, Zhang GP (2020) Cross-scale characterization of the elasticity of shales: statistical nanoindentation and data analytics. J Mech Phys Solids. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2020.103945
Mi L, Zhu G (2021) Geological characteristics and exploration breakthrough in Linxing-Shenfu tight gas field, northeastern Ordos Basin, China. Pet Explor 26:53. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1672-7703.2021.03.005
Mueller M, Amro M (2015) Indentaion hardness for improved proppant embedment prediction in shale formations. In: paper presented at SPE European Formation Damage Conference and Exhibition. https://doi.org/10.2118/174227-MS
Oliver WC, Pharr GM (2004) Measurement of hardness and elastic modulus by instrumented indentation: advances in understanding and refinements to methodology. J Mater Res 19:3–20. https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2004.19.1.3
Schulz B, Sandmann D, Gilbricht S (2020) SEM-based automated mineralogy and its application in geo- and material sciences. Minerals 10:1004. https://doi.org/10.3390/min10111004
Sheng M, Cheng SZ, Lu ZH, Zhang Y, Tian SC, Li GS (2022) Influence of formation in-situ stress on mechanical heterogeneity of shale through grid nanoindentation. Pet Sci 19:211–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2021.10.006
Shi X, Jiang S, Wang Z, Bai B, **ao D, Tang M (2020) Application of nanoindentation technology for characterizing the mechanical properties of shale before and after supercritical CO2 fluid treatment. J CO2 Utiliz 37:158–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2019.11.022.
Shi L, Zhou H, Song M, Lu J, Liu Z (2021) Geomechanical model test for analysis of surrounding rock behaviours in composite strata. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 13:774–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2020.12.002
Sobhbidari F, Hu Q (2021) Recent advances in the mechanical characterization of shales at nano-to micro-scales: a review. Mech Mater 162:104043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmat.2021.104043
Sone H, Zoback MD (2013) Mechanical properties of shale-gas reservoir rocks—Part 1: static and dynamic elastic properties and anisotropy. Geophysics 78:D381–D392. https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2013-0050.1
Tang J, Wu K, Zuo L, **ao L, Sun S, Ehlig-Economides C (2019) Investigation of rupture and slip mechanisms of hydraulic fractures in multiple-layered formations. SPE J 24:2292–2307. https://doi.org/10.2118/197054-PA
Tavallali A, Vervoort A (2010) Failure of layered sandstone under Brazilian test conditions: effect of micro-scale parameters on macro-scale behaviour. Rock Mech Rock Eng 43:641–653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-010-0084-7
Tomac I, Sauter M (2018) A review on challenges in the assessment of geomechanical rock performance for deep geothermal reservoir development. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 82:3972–3980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.10.076
Wang CW, Jia CS, Peng XL, Chen Z, Zhu SY, Sun HS, Zhang J (2019) Effects of wellbore interference on concurrent gas production from multi-layered tight sands: a case study in eastern Ordos Basin, China. J Petrol Sci Eng 179:707–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2019.04.110
Wang Y, Xu S, Hao F, Zhang B, Shu Z, Gou Q, Lu Y, Cong F (2020) Multiscale petrographic heterogeneity and their implications for the nanoporous system of the Wufeng–Longmaxi shales in Jiaoshiba area, Southeast China: response to depositional-diagenetic process. GSA Bull 132:1704–1721. https://doi.org/10.1130/B35324.1
Wang Y, Porter DL, Naleway SE, Newell P (2021) Thermo-mechanical characterization of shale using nanoindentation. Sci Rep 11:18864. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98251-x
Wu ZT, Qi ZB, Zhang DF, Wang ZC (2016) Nanoindentation induced plastic deformation in nanocrystalline ZrN coating. Mater Lett 164:120–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2015.10.091
Xu W, Zhao J, Xu J (2021) Fracability evaluation method for tight sandstone oil reservoirs. Nat Resour Res 30:4277–4295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-021-09907-4
Yin D, Chen S, Ge Y, Liu R (2021) Mechanical properties of rock–coal bi-material samples with different lithologies under uniaxial loading. J Market Res 10:322–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.12.010
Yuan J, Luo D, Feng L (2015) A review of the technical and economic evaluation techniques for shale gas development. Appl Energy 148:49–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.03.040
Zhang F, Dontsov E, Mack M (2017) Fully coupled simulation of a hydraulic fracture interacting with natural fractures with a hybrid discrete-continuum method. Int J Numer Anal Meth Geomech 41:1430–1452. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.2682
Zhang L, Li B, Jiang S, **ao D, Lu S, Zhang Y, Gong C, Chen L (2018) Heterogeneity characterization of the lower Silurian Longmaxi marine shale in the Pengshui area, South China. Int J Coal Geol 195:250–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2018.05.015
Zhong J, Hu CN, Fan HH, Cai YQ, Chen Q, Chen JY, Meng YN (2019) A new type U-Th-REE-Nb mineralization related to albitite: a case study from the Chachaxiangka deposit in the northeastern Qaidam Basin of China, China. Geology 2:422–438. https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2018133
Acknowledgements
The work was supported by the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST (Grant No. 2021QNRC001), National Science Fund for National R&D Program for Major Research Instruments (Grant No. 51827804), and Bei**g Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 3222039).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
RC: conceptualization, methodology, analysis and writing. RY: funding acquisition, reviewing and editing. GL: experiment—supervision, investigation. ZH: resources—materials, writing—supervision. YG: visualization. MJ: data curation. ML: investigation.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared that they have no competing interests in this paper.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Cong, R., Yang, R., Li, G. et al. Geomechanical Properties of Thinly Interbedded Rocks Based on Micro- and Macro-Scale Measurements. Rock Mech Rock Eng 56, 5657–5675 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03360-w
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03360-w