Dear fellows,

I am trying to learn the workflow of ANSY to simulate the hydraulic fracturing simulation.

My approach is to couple the ANSYS fluent and transient mechanical. Currently I am stuck on some sections of simulation, kindly if you may comment.

I want to see the fracture width and length for selected injection pressures.

Background of Simulation:

Shale reservoir cylindrical sample

A cylinder with dia 60 mm and length 120mm having a hole inside the cylinder with depth 90mm. I am considering a preexisting semi elliptical crack at two sides of the hole that should grow axially (axial splitting).

1. If I will not able to see the semi elliptical crack in the fluent, then how I will ensure that the injected fluid pressure may exterted at the fracture face.

2. What should be my inlet and outlet in this condition (I was thinking to consider that borehole as inlet and fracture face as outlet)?

3. How to find the change in fracture dimensions after the end of the simulation?

4. As smart crack growth doesn't work in transient mechanical situations, can I still see the fracture propagation in this case?

Thanks you for your time.

Regards,