Nonlinear elastic constitutive model of clayey sand reservoirs during depressurization exploitation of natural gas hydrate

Abstract

Accurate evaluation of the mechanical response of hydrate-bearing reservoirs is a prerequisite for safe and efficient exploitation of natural gas hydrate resources. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a suitable constitutive model and to determine reasonable model parameters for hydrate-bearing sediments (HBSs) during exploitation. In this study, based on the strain-hardening behavior of clayey sand reservoirs published in the previous study, Duncan–Chang model was used as the basic model to establish constitutive models for HBSs during exploitation. The model parameters, initial elastic modulus and ultimate deviatoric stress, were determined by modifying existing formulas and establishing empirical formulas. Four nonlinear elastic constitutive models were proposed by combining the model parameters determined by different methods. Multi-stage and single-stage triaxial test data were used to verify the applicability of the model and determine the optimal model suitable for the sediments under study.