Calibrated Rock Deformation Simulation for Micro-Macro Property Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating earth formation properties, such as unconfined compressive strength (UCS), are inaccurate due to biased sampling and damage introduced during rock testing, failing to represent the formation's variability and heterogeneity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mathematical model calibrated using physical rock tests and volumetric imaging to simulate and verify rock deformation, allowing for accurate estimation of micro- and macro-properties, including a modified Mohr-Coulomb model to track damage history and directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical rock tests are performed to estimate formation properties, then rock deformation data can be obtained, but sampling bias and test-induced damage reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (virtual model) of the rock sample that replicates its mechanical properties and microstructure. This digital twin can undergo unlimited virtual testing without physical damage, eliminating sampling bias while maintaining measurement accuracy. The virtual model is calibrated to match the physical sample's behavior, allowing repeated tests without compromising sample integrity or representativeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of the physical rock sample to create an accurate virtual model before conducting extensive testing. By establishing the digital twin first with calibrated material properties and microstructural features, subsequent virtual tests can be performed without physical sample degradation, preserving sample representativeness while enabling comprehensive property estimation.
2Productivity
If multiple physical rock tests are conducted to obtain comprehensive property data, then more formation properties can be estimated, but the physical sample becomes damaged and cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical sample with a digital copy for repeated testing. The virtual model can undergo unlimited tests including destructive scenarios without any degradation, enabling comprehensive property estimation (UCS, elastic moduli, strength parameters) from a single physical sample characterization. This dramatically improves testing efficiency while the sample remains permanently usable as a physical reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transfers all necessary information from the physical sample to the virtual model through preliminary characterization and calibration. Once the digital twin is created with accurate material properties and microstructural features, the physical sample's testing function is effectively discarded in favor of the recoverable, reusable virtual representation that preserves all essential mechanical behavior data.
3Measurement precision
If conventional testing methods are used to determine rock properties, then basic mechanical parameters can be measured, but micro-scale damage and heterogeneity effects are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from macro-scale physical testing to micro-scale virtual analysis by creating a digital model that resolves individual mineral grains, pores, and microcracks. This dimensional shift enables detection of micro-damage mechanisms and heterogeneity effects that are invisible to conventional testing, while the virtual environment maintains measurement precision through controlled numerical experiments that track damage evolution at multiple scales.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for estimating a property of an earth formation includes: obtaining a sample of rock; scanning the sample to determine internal rock damage; measuring a deformation parameter of the sample; constructing a mathematical model of the sample that replicates the determined and measured internal rock damage distribution; simulating the one or more tests using the mathematical model; obtaining a rock deformation parameter using the one or more simulated tests corresponding to the measured rock deformation parameter; comparing the rock deformation parameter obtained from the one or more simulated tests to the corresponding measured rock deformation parameter; adjusting parameters of the mathematical model based upon the rock parameter obtained from simulation not being within a selected range of the measured rock parameter; and providing the mathematical model as a verified mathematical model based upon the rock parameter obtained from simulation being within a selected range of the measured rock parameter.