Project description DEENESFRITPL Breaking the code of fracture propagation in fluid-saturated porous media Fracture in heterogeneous, fluid-saturated porous media is a complex and multiscale problem with moving internal boundaries. Despite the vast amount of research on fracture in solid materials, there is still relatively little understanding on how fractures propagate in fluid-saturated porous media. To address this issue, the PoroFrac project, funded by the European Research Council, aims to develop a simulation tool that can accurately predict fracture propagation in such media. The technology will have direct applications in hydraulic fracturing and earthquake analysis. This project will result in a powerful simulation tool with unprecedented predictive capabilities for societal issues in energy, health, environment and safety. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Fracture in heterogeneous, (partially) fluid-saturated porous media is a multi-scale problem with moving internal boundaries, characterised by a high degree of complexity and uncertainty. Nevertheless, in spite of an abundance of research on fracture in solid materials, there is relatively little work on fluid-saturated porous materials. Herein, a robust, flexible simulation technology will be developed for existing faults and propagating fractures in such media. The project consists of three pillars, each of which will have a scientific impact in its own right, complemented by a horizontal, application-oriented theme, which links the pillars, creates synergy and added value, and applies and elaborates the technology for hydraulic fracturing and for fault dynamics during earthquakes. In pillar 1 a mesoscopic, multi-phase model will be developed for fluid transport in cracks which are embedded in a fluid-saturated porous medium. The development of an adaptive spline technology in pillar 2 will enable to capture crack propagation and branching in arbitrary directions on arbitrary discretisations. The reliability method of pillar 3 will make it possible to make a quantitative assessment of the probability that, in a layered, heterogeneous medium, a crack propagates in a certain direction. Its successful completion will pave the way for a wider acceptance and use of reliability methods in fracture analyses, well beyond the primary application area of porous media. The linking theme will showcase some direct applications, in hydraulic fracturing and in earthquake analysis, but has a much wider range of applicability, e.g. for the safety analysis of CO₂ or nuclear waste storage in sub-surface formations, or fracture in fluid-saturated human tissues. Thus, the project will result in a robust simulation tool for fracture propagation in fluid-saturated porous media with unprecedented predictive capabilities for societal issues in energy, health, environment, and safety. Fields of science engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesnuclear engineeringnuclear waste managementengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energynatural gasnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologyseismologyengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energygeothermal energynatural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-ADG-2014 - ERC Advanced Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant Host institution THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD Net EU contribution € 2 329 520,00 Address FIRTH COURT WESTERN BANK S10 2TN Sheffield United Kingdom See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber South Yorkshire Sheffield Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 329 520,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 2 329 520,00 Address FIRTH COURT WESTERN BANK S10 2TN Sheffield See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber South Yorkshire Sheffield Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 329 520,00
