New Patent: Hydraulic Fracture Simulation with an Extended FEM

Another Patent Awarded to Dassault Systèmes Employees

We’d like to recognize three of our employees who’ve recently received the Patent Award for issue of U.S. Patent 9,405,867 on August 2, 2016. This patent protects SIMULIA’s innovative meshing technique, which enables users to do improved simulation of crack propagation during fracking in all conditions.

Congratulations to:


Q3 2016 Patent Award

Patent Title: 

Hydraulic fracture simulation with an extended Finite Element Method

Abstract:

A computer-implemented method includes defining respective positions of a first set of nodes and a second set of nodes in an enrichment region, and performing a coupled pore fluid diffusion and stress analysis on the enrichment region at the first set of nodes.

It is then determined whether the second set of nodes is activated—representing a fracture—as a result of the analysis, and the results are visually output to a user.

Innovation:

  • To simulate crack propagation for fracking, a 3D mesh is generated which will be put under desired pressure.
  • For hard rock hydraulic fracture propagation, Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanism exists.
  • What if the area you are trying to drill has ductile rocks, such as clay or weakly consolidated sandstones?

User Benefit:

Users will achieve a more accurate planning for fracking.

Learn more about this patent