OCR Text |
Show 25 college of engineering The accuracy of mesoscale multi-physics simulations of stresses and strains in highly porous and brittle materials, such as Berea sandstone, is relevant to the oil exploration industry, especially to their drilling op-erations. Such models rely on parameters such as the bond energy or adhesion strength between adjacent grains in the bulk of the material. These parameters are often estimated or extrapolated from bulk material properties. This approach, however, may introduce large errors in the model by inaccurate estimation of these parameter values. While paramount to obtaining accurate multi-physics simulations of material be-havior on the mesoscale, no effective experimental methods to our knowledge presently exist to determine the bond adhesion strength between adjacent grains in a reliable and repeatable fashion. We have cur-rently begun exploratory work in determining an experimental method to measure the adhesion strength between adjacent grains of Berea sandstone through the use of adhesives and nylon strings. A nylon string is dipped in a cyanoacrylate adhesive and is attached to individual grains under the microscope. After the adhesive has cured, quasi-static force is applied until the grain's adhesion to adjacent grains fails. Currently, we are able to extract only one in five grains through this method. DESIGN OF MESOSCALE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES TESTING FOR BEREA SANDSTONE Anthony Chyr (Bart Raeymaekers) Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Utah UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Bart Raeymaekers Anthony Chyr Nylon string bonded to a grain of Berea Sandstone through cyanoacrylate. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of Berea Sandstone grain show-ing surface roughness. Schematic of experimental apparatus setup. |