Abstract

EKNELIGODA, T C. Estimating elastic moduli of sandstones using two-dimensional pore space images. J. S. Afr. Inst. Civ. Eng. [online]. 2019, vol.61, n.3, pp.58-66. ISSN 2309-8775.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2309-877s/2019/v61n3a6.

The elastic moduli (shear modulus and bulk modulus) of two different sandstones are estimated from two-dimensional images of the pore space. An image analysis technique was used to extract the area and perimeter of each pore. The shearablity and compressibility of each pore were calculated using the boundary element method and a perimeter-area scaling law. The effective shear modulus and bulk modulus of the rock were then estimated using the area-weighted mean pore shearablity, pore compressiblity and the differential effective medium theory. The method was applied to Fontainebleau and Berea sandstones. Comparison with experimental values of the shear moduli and bulk moduli showed good agreement.

Keywords : shear moduli; bulk moduli; image analysis; pore shearablity; rock properties.

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