Bidirectional and unidirectional fracture growth during hydrofracturing: Role of driving stress gradients
2010
Abstract
We develop and analyze a new analytical hydrofracture model that considers for the first time the effect of stress and pore pressure gradients on growth. It is based on plane strain linear elastic fracture mechanics and further considers 1-D laminar flow, the opening shape of the fracture, and a Griffith fracture criterion.