Laboratory Analysis of Acoustic Emission Associated with the Hydraulic Fracturing of Sandstone Samples. The Problem of Fracture Location

Acoustic emission associated with the hydraulic fracturing of sandstone samples (dry or saturated) was investigated in the laboratory. The emission sources were located by triangulation from the differences in arrival time of the compressional wave at four sensors. On this experimental scale, the attenuation and dispersion factors, and the anisotropic character of the medium influence the choice of the method for measuring Delta t. For the same reason, the time measurements must be corrected for instrumentation effects. The velocity anisotropy of the medium is also taken into account for a simple geometric representation (ellipsoid). A comparison of the location results with the survey of the fracture after the test shows that the emission sources are located in the fracture plane. The tests also reveal a close correlation between acoustic activity and fracture behavior. The initiation and propagation of the fracture are accompanied by few events only, whereas the closure is characterized by very strong acoustic activity. Two types of event were observed, and those corresponding to the propagation of the fracture appear to confirm a tensile fracture mode