Micro-scale effects of stylolite orientation on the motion of tensile failure: A study analyzing strain fields of stylolite limestones using Particle Image Velocimetry

Many laboratory tests of samples where the rock fractures are based on<br/>meso-scale (cm) characterization of effective ‘intact’ strength parameters neglecting the microstructure effects. Understanding fracturing processes at<br/>micro-scale (mm) will require models with microstructure data. However,<br/>data is lacking on micro-scale.<br/...

Interface Strength of Rock Discontinuities: Based on Experiments Conducted Using the Direct Shear Box

The aim of this project is to focus on the effect of mechanical contrast and surface roughness as factors influencing the shear strength of the interface of different rock samples. The shear strength of an interface is significant in experimental projects that for instance address the containment and propagation analysis of hydraulic fractures....

Rock-Fluid Interaction During Low-Salinity Polymer Flow in Porous Media

Usually, oil fields are developed over three stages. First is the primary oil recovery, where the natural underground pressure is used to drive the oil to the surface. Afterwards is the secondary oil recovery, usually by water flooding or gas injection. However, the water flood yields lower sweep efficiency in heterogeneous reservoirs, contrary...

Groningen Gas Field: Heterogeneities characterization of the sediments,by log evaluation.

This research focuses on the analyze of the heterogeneity of the Groningen gas field, i.e. characterization of the reservoir rock and the sealing Zechstein salt on top of the reservoir, by modeling the rock properties of the formations. The aim of this study is twofold, namely to characterize the thickness, shale content and porosity of the...

Statistical analysis of 2D trace-line maps of fracture networks in carbonate rocks of the Jandeíra Formation in Brazil

The fracture network of the Jandeíra Formation in the northeastern part of Brazil is controlled by two main (paleo-) stress fields. The first stress field, characterized by a NS-oriented compression, occurred from the Campanian to the Miocene. The second occurred from the Miocene to the Quaternary as an EW-oriented compression. In the western...

Shear strength of the Bremanger Sandstone: “Determining the basic friction angle using a Golder Direct Shear Box”

This project focuses on the shear strength of Devonian sandstone cobbles that will protect the area between the sea-water breaker and the beach and will be used to construct a runway for a large crane for the new Maasvlakte 2. In rock slope design the shear strength of sliding interfaces is often based on Coulomb’s model in which shear strength ...

Medium size shear box testing to determine the shear strength of Bremanger rock fill