Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2509.11228

Image-based modelling of rock non-linear deformation under low-stress levels

Rui Li·Yi Yang·Wenbo Zhan·Jianhui Yang·Yingfang Zhou
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Rock geophysical properties are widely reported to exhibit non-linear behaviours under low-stress conditions (below 10-20 MPa) before transitioning to the linear elastic stage, primarily due to the closure of microcracks and grain interfaces. Image-based modelling of rock deformation struggles to effectively characterise the microcrack closure effect because of the partial-volume effect, where image voxels are larger than microcracks and contain both pore and solid phases. This study presents a novel method to simulate non-linear rock deformation under elevated stress conditions. The method reconstructs digital rock models by treating partial-volume voxels as transitional phases that incorporate microcracks. By assigning intermediate elastic moduli and assuming that the pore portion within each partial-volume voxel deforms before the remaining solid content, the method employs the finite element method to simulate rock deformation and calculate the porosity of the deformed model. The method is tested on two Bentheimer sandstone models, and the results demonstrate its ability to predict the non-linear changes in porosity and elastic properties as the effective stress increases. This work provides a new pathway for image-based modelling of non-linear rock deformation considering the microcrack closure effect, offering valuable insights into the complex mechanical behaviour of rocks under confinement.

Explore related subjects

physics.geo-ph

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Rui Li, Yi Yang, Wenbo Zhan, Jianhui Yang, Yingfang Zhou. 2025-09-14. Image-based modelling of rock non-linear deformation under low-stress levels. https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.11228

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Predicting the Elastic Properties of a Cemented Granular Material during Chemical Damage (Debonding)

While underground reservoirs emerge as essential elements to face global warming, these systems represent complex multi-physical and multiscale problems. The considered injection of fluids during hydrogen storage, carbon dioxide sequestration, or geothermal energy recovery involves a modification of the chemical equilibrium of the fluid in the porous reservoir. Chemical reactions can induce microstructural changes of the rock matrix, leading to a reduction of elastic properties of the material, and to potential settlement or stress redistribution. Consequently, it becomes pivotal to establish predictive behavior laws to describe the effect of chemical damage on elastic properties. Facing the difficulties to estimate experimentally the impact of chemical damage on mechanical properties, a Digital Rock Physics approach is proposed in this contribution. This numerical homogenization scheme is used to compare two distinct types of microstructure models: the first one consists in a Discrete Element Model, while the second one employs a continuous description. This continuous formulation is based on a Phase-Field description to predict the evolution of the microstructure subjected to chemical alterations and on the Fast Fourier Transform to estimate the macroscopic properties of the material. Finally, these frameworks establish different softening laws that can be used as constitutive ingredients for a cemented material during its weathering.

physics.geo-ph↗
arXiv2026

Determination of Physical Height Differences from Time Transfer via the ACES Mission -- A Simulation Study

The determination of physical height differences using highly stable atomic clocks has emerged as a novel approach in relativistic geodesy, exploiting the gravitational redshift as a direct observable of geopotential differences. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of satellite-based clock comparisons using the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES) onboard the International Space Station, which enables time transfer via microwave (MWL) and optical (ELT) links. Since operational optical data are not yet available, a comprehensive full-scale simulation of realistic ACES observation scenarios is performed, including detailed noise models of clocks and links. A slope-based estimation method is applied to time series of clock comparisons in order to extract the relativistic redshift signal and derive height differences between the ground stations. The performance of the approach is evaluated for quasi-common view, non-common view, and split non-common view configurations, where the latter divides the observation period into shorter intervals. The results show that optical links enable faster convergence and can achieve height accuracies at the decimeter level within a few days and at the centimeter level over longer periods, while microwave links are more strongly affected by noise and bias contributions. Non-common view processing significantly increases observation availability with only minor loss in accuracy, and the split approach provides robust solutions for larger networks. These findings demonstrate the strong potential of satellite-based clock comparisons as a remote-sensing technique for determining physical height differences on a continental scale.

physics.geo-ph↗
arXiv2026

Sensitivity of neutrino oscillations to the Earth's interior properties

Understanding the Earth s internal structure remains a major challenge, as traditional geophysical methods face ambiguities in linking seismic observations to temperature, composition, or mass density variations. Atmospheric neutrinos offer a complementary probe: while traversing the Earth, they undergo flavor oscillations that depend on the local electron density, which reflects both mass density and composition.

physics.geo-ph↗