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95 records · Page 6

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2020

Completion design improvement using a deep convolutional network

Maximizing stimulated natural and hydraulic fracture network is one of the primary hydraulic fracturing concerns for economic production from a horizontal shale gas well. Geomechanical facies and preexisting fractures in each stage are identified based on similarities in formation characteristics to optimize the locations of perforation clusters. This often requires analyzing large volumes of drilling, Logging While Drilling (LWD) and Measurement While Drilling (MWD) data. In this paper, we develop a methodology that calculates the mechanical specific energy (MSE) using real-time drill string acceleration signals directly from its definition. High resolution vibration signals have been collected using a tri-axial accerlometer, which was an auxiliary tool included in acoustic borehole imager. This technique provides a cost-efficient solution for engineered completion design. Furthermore, we adopt deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with signal processing to build a data pipeline that effectively extracts patterns from dynamic acceleration signals for rock lateral MSE classification. First, we apply discrete wavelet transform and Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) for signal denoising and pattern recognition. Then we construct an image dataset using multi-scale image fusion at pixel level from 3 sensor channels, including axial, lateral acceleration spectrograms and zero-padded revolutions per minute (RPM). The resulted RGB image dataset includes 4,000 images of 5 MSE ranges with various rock strength conditions. Our results demonstrate that the proposed deep learning model can achieve more than 90% classification accuracy. The deep learning results, as a reference source, were applied in selected Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Lab (MSEEL) wells engineered completion located in the Marcellus shale gas site.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

NASA NTRS1990

Macromolecular differentiation of Golgi stacks in root tips of Arabidopsis and Nicotiana seedlings as visualized in high pressure frozen and freeze-substituted samples

The plant root tip represents a fascinating model system for studying changes in Golgi stack architecture associated with the developmental progression of meristematic cells to gravity sensing columella cells, and finally to "young" and "old", polysaccharide-slime secreting peripheral cells. To this end we have used high pressure freezing in conjunction with freeze-substitution techniques to follow developmental changes in the macromolecular organization of Golgi stacks in root tips of Arabidopsis and Nicotiana. Due to the much improved structural preservation of all cells under investigation, our electron micrographs reveal both several novel structural features common to all Golgi stacks, as well as characteristic differences in morphology between Golgi stacks of different cell types. Common to all Golgi stacks are clear and discrete differences in staining patterns and width of cis, medial and trans cisternae. Cis cisternae have the widest lumina (approximately 30 nm) and are the least stained. Medial cisternae are narrower (approximately 20 nm) and filled with more darkly staining products. Most trans cisternae possess a completely collapsed lumen in their central domain, giving rise to a 4-6 nm wide dark line in cross-sectional views. Numerous vesicles associated with the cisternal margins carry a non-clathrin type of coat. A trans Golgi network with clathrin coated vesicles is associated with all Golgi stacks except those of old peripheral cells. It is easily distinguished from trans cisternae by its blebbing morphology and staining pattern. The zone of ribosome exclusion includes both the Golgi stack and the trans Golgi network. Intercisternal elements are located exclusively between trans cisternae of columella and peripheral cells, but not meristematic cells. In older peripheral cells only trans cisternae exhibit slime-related staining. Golgi stacks possessing intercisternal elements also contain parallel rows of freeze-fracture particles in their trans cisternal membranes. We propose that intercisternal elements serve as anchors of enzyme complexes involved in the synthesis of polysaccharide slime molecules to prevent the complexes from being dragged into the forming secretory vesicles by the very large slime molecules. In addition, we draw attention to the similarities in composition and apparent site of synthesis of xyloglucans and slime molecules.

NASA Program Space Biology↗

DOE OSTI2022

From force chains to nonclassical nonlinear dynamics in cemented granular materials

In this letter, we present evidence for a mechanism responsible for the nonclassical nonlinear dynamics observed in many cemented granular materials that are generally classified as mesoscopic nonlinear elastic materials. We demonstrate numerically that force chains are created within the complex grain-pore network of these materials when subjected to dynamic loading. The interface properties between grains along with the sharp and localized increase of the stress occurring at the grain-grain contacts leads to a reversible decrease of the elastic properties at macroscopic scale and peculiar effects on the propagation of elastic waves when grain boundary properties are appropriately considered. These effects are observed for relatively small amplitudes of the elastic waves, i.e., within tens of microstrain, and relatively large wavelengths, i.e., orders of magnitude larger than the material constituents. The mechanics are investigated numerically using the hybrid finite-discrete-element method and match those observed experimentally using nonlinear resonant ultrasound spectroscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

An Integrated Multiscale Experimental-Numerical Analysis on Reconsolidation of Salt-Clay Mixture for Disposal of Heat-Generating Waste (Final NEUP Technical Report)

The overall purpose of this research is to improve understanding of THMC coupling effect on the reconsolidation of granular (or crushed) salt-clay mixture used for seal systems of shafts and drifts in salt repositories. This proposed work is partially motivated by the recent work on the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) that shows the promising sealing capability of clay-salt mixture compared to crushed salt. In particular, primary emphasis is to develop a fully integrated multiscale experiment-numerical study to determine and explain what leads to the superior sealing ability of the clay-salt mixture. These research activities are designed to seek further understanding of (1) why clay additives may enhance the fluid trapping and (2) whether this flow barrier effect may prevail under different combinations of temperature, confining pressure, deviatoric stress and other foreseeable environmental factors. If successful, this enhanced flow trapping ability of the seal provides significant improvement to the seal and repository performance and therefore make the repository safer in the long-term. The experiment component includes microstructural investigation and macroscopic tests on a reconsolidated salt-clay mixture. In the microstructural study, the goal is to (1) characterize microscopic distributions of distinct phases (e.g., clay, salt crystal boundaries, trapped brine, and pore) to examine the connectivity of the pore network inside the salt-clay mixture with different amounts of clay additive and moisture content and (2) analyze multiscale imaging data to reconstruct the polycrystalline microstructures for numerical simulations. Meanwhile, macroscopic tests are performed to analyze how clay alters the failure/creep mechanisms in the salt-clay mixture. Microscopic and macroscopic experimental observations will both be used to calibrate and validate a multiscale model that explicitly simulates the capillary and multiphase flow in the connected pores and the deformation due to the presence of intra-crystalline brine at the pore scale via a new polyhedral discrete element–lattice Boltzmann method (DEM-LBM) coupling model. The pore-scale simulations are homogenized via an upscaling procedure that converts pore-scale information (e.g. force exerted on grain boundary, sliding, pressure-solution) to continuum measures (e.g. Cauchy stress, Darcy’s flow) at each integration point in the macroscopic multiphase TMHC model. This multiscale scheme will allow coupling be- tween high-fidelity simulations of brine-salt-clay interaction and the macroscopic TMHC model. The multiscale model helps the understanding of how the trapped brine inclusion affects the pressure-solution mechanism with the presence of clay and moisture. This work brings new insight into the sealing capacity of salt-clay mixture under elevated temperature over a long period of time - a key to evaluating the potential of salt-clay mixture usage for salt repositories.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Recent Advances in Discrete Crack Modeling Applied to Laminated Composites with Emphasis on: Floating Node Method, VCCT and Cohesive Zone Modeling

The present talk will provide an overview of the work performed during the Advanced Composites Project (ACP) on the development, and verification and validation of the Floating Node Method (FNM) as well as the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) and cohesive zone modeling (CZM). The FNM is a finite element-based technique to represent crack networks. The complex nature of matrix crack-delamination interactions observed in unidirectional (UD) tape laminates suggests that a methodology such as the FNM method may be required to be able to accurately simulate damage progression in these laminates. Simulating crack onset and growth within the context of the FNM relies on techniques such as VCCT and CZM. The talk is organized to provide, via select examples, an overview of the breadth of the Verification & Validation (V&V) exercises performed during the ACP, and how these challenged the state-of-the art and guided further developments in discrete crack modeling, while helping to establish confidence in the progress made and map the challenges ahead. The performance of the VCCT and CZM individually, and in combination with the FNM can be assessed through verification exercises. These exercises typically consist of a comparison of simulation results to known numerical or analytical solutions. Verification is key to identify implementation issues and limitations that, otherwise, may remain undetected and cloud any subsequent validation efforts. Indeed, a subset of these numerical exercises led to further developments of the VCCT and the FNM method as will be illustrated. Before embarking on the subsequent validation of the framework, it is critical to have adequate characterization data. However, the testing campaign conducted revealed material responses that challenged the state-of-the-art and required further developments. The developments in CZM technology associated with the modeling of the responses of hybrid interfaces (fabric/UD) will be given as an example. Finally, the talk will conclude with a summary of the validation exercises performed under quasi-static and fatigue loadings, highlighting some of the key achievements, outstanding challenges and lessons learned.

finite elements↗