Numerical simulation of hydraulic fracturing: a hybrid FEM based algorithm

In this paper a problem of numerical simulation of hydraulic fractures is considered. An efficient algorithm of solution, based on the universal scheme introduced earlier by the authors for the fractures propagating in elastic solids, is proposed. The algorithm utilizes a FEM based subroutine to compute deformation of the fractured material. Consequently, the computational scheme retains the relative simplicity of its original version and simultaneously enables one to deal with more advanced cases of the fractured material properties and configurations. In particular, the problems of poroelasticity, plasticity and spatially varying properties of the fractured material can be analyzed. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm are verified against analytical benchmark solutions. The algorithm capabilities are demonstrated using the example of the hydraulic fracture propagating in complex geological settings.