Calculation of Hydraulic Fracturing Width using Finite Elements

Abstract

This research presents an analytical study of all variables that affect hydraulic fracture width calculation . The differential equations That govern hydraulic fracturing in an integral form suitable for finite element analysis were formulated. Then a finite element program using MatLab was developed, implemented and checked. The program was then applied to analyse specific case studies . The results obtained using the program were compared with the results from the application of (An Adaptive Finite Element Scheme for Hydraulic Fracturing with Proppant Transport). The comparison shows good agreement between the two sets of results.