What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore how different levels of preloading stress affect fracture initiation and propagation during hydraulic fracturing in shale formations.

May 26, 2026Journal of Energy Engineering

Impact of Preloading on Subsequent Hydraulic Fracture Initiation and Propagation: Insights from Acoustic Emission and Fracture Morphology Analysis

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Authors

ZSZehang SuGuizhou University YZYongfa ZhangGuizhou University ALAnfa LongGuizhou University

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Implication

Randomized trial investigates preloading effects on fracture behavior in shale, indicating optimization strategies for fracturing designs.

Key Points

This research aims to explore how different levels of preloading stress affect fracture initiation and propagation during hydraulic fracturing in shale formations.
Conducted hydraulic fracturing experiments on Changning shale under varying differential stresses (5, 15, and 25 MPa).
Utilized acoustic emissions (AEs) and 3D laser scanning to analyze fracture morphology and evolution.
Measured independent parameters including standard deviation (SD), θs, and Rs to evaluate fracture characteristics.
At preloading stress below 30% of uniaxial compressive strength, microcrack formation significantly increased, but macroscopic fractures were few.
Higher preloading levels reduced AE activity and breakdown pressure, inhibiting tensile microcrack formation while promoting shear and mixed-mode microcracks.
Under high preloading, fractures displayed a vertical winglike propagation pattern with smoother surfaces as stress differences increased.

Cite This Study

Su et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a153bdfb5d9c58d83e8d538 https://doi.org/10.1061/jleed9.eyeng-6514

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Implication

Randomized trial investigates preloading effects on fracture behavior in shale, indicating optimization strategies for fracturing designs.

Impact of Preloading on Subsequent Hydraulic Fracture Initiation and Propagation: Insights from Acoustic Emission and Fracture Morphology Analysis

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Key Points

Cite This Study

Impact of Preloading on Subsequent Hydraulic Fracture Initiation and Propagation: Insights from Acoustic Emission and Fracture Morphology Analysis

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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