Permeability Anisotropy and Dilation Due to Shear Failure in Poorly Consolidated Sands

Shear failure plays an important role in fracture propagation in poorly consolidated formations. In past work, the effect of shear failure on the permeability and porosity of sands has been inconclusive. In this paper, a three-dimensional discrete element model is used to estimate changes in porosity and permeability due to mechanical deformation of sand-packs. Using pore network fluid flow simulations, the effect of shear failure and stress...