Numerical analysis of geomechanical behavior of fractures and faults in a deformable porous medium

Abstract In this study, geomechanical behavior of fractures and faults in rocks as a saturated deformable discrete fracture-porous medium has been evaluated using coupled fluid flow-geomechanics numerical modeling. The purpose paper is to observe evaluate the effects on pore pressures during flow through reservoirs. This issue involves solving equations that have derived from Biot consolidation theory such mass balance equation, Darcy law momentum equations. Govern were solved standard Galerkin finite element method for continuous porous medium. Elements called "zero-thickness elements” also used discretize fault discontinuous part compared with previous similar methods, introduced paper, made modifications either choice governing main advantage providing clear precise formulations double node zero-thickness hydro-mechanical modeling faults. Verification proposed process models presented done by three index problems which their analytical solutions are available. results our model provide good agreement these reference indicates accuracy paper.