Integrated Solver for Fluid-Driven Fracture Modeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches to numerically model fluid-driven fracture and fragmentation processes require separate modeling of solid and fluid phases, leading to time-consuming and error-prone coupling processes.
Innovation Solution
An integrated solver combines finite element and discrete element methods to model both fluid and solid phases simultaneously, allowing for congruent time stepping and eliminating errors by integrating fluid flow across solid porous media and fractures, with stress calculations and nodal forces mapped directly without phase transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fluid and solid solvers are coupled to model fluid-driven fracture processes, then the modeling approach can handle complex multiphase interactions, but the computational time increases and numerical errors may occur due to variable transfer between codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate fluid and solid solvers into a single integrated solver that simultaneously handles both phases. The solver uses a unified finite element framework where solid mechanics and fluid flow equations are solved together at each time step, eliminating the need for variable transfer between separate codes and reducing computational overhead while maintaining modeling accuracy for complex multiphase interactions
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate fluid and solid solvers are coupled to model fluid-driven fracture processes, then the modeling approach can handle complex multiphase interactions, but numerical errors occur due to the transfer process between coupled codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fluid and solid phase modeling into a single solver framework that eliminates interface transfer errors. The unified solver computes both phases simultaneously using coupled finite element formulations, ensuring numerical consistency and eliminating errors that arise from variable interpolation and transfer between separate coupled codes
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate fluid and solid solvers are used with coupling, then the modeling approach can handle phase interactions, but the coupling process becomes time exhaustive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate phase solvers into a single integrated computational framework that solves fluid and solid phases simultaneously. This unified approach eliminates the iterative coupling loops and multiple code coordination overhead, significantly improving modeling efficiency while maintaining the ability to handle complex phase interactions through unified finite element formulations
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated solver may be used for both a fluid phase and a solid phase. The integrated solver may use constitutive equations for the fluid phase and the solid phase, and calculate the stress in the fluid and solid using the same integration point. The integrated solver may also calculate other state variables using the same integration point.