Rock moduli estimation of inhomogeneous two-phase media with finite difference modeling algorithm

Abstract

Digital rock physics (DRP) builds a bridge between pore-scale physical processes and the macroscopic physical properties of rock. Its key paradigm is to image and digitize the pore space and mineral matrix of rock, then to simulate the response of various physical fields and calculate the equivalent elastic parameters of rocks through digital rocks and mathematical methods. In this paper, a new approach is proposed to estimate the rock moduli of two-phase media with the staggered-grid high-order finite difference method (FDM) of the Biot theory based on DRP. This new method not only takes into consideration the impact of fluid on elastic wave propagation in two-phase media, but it is also easy to understand and implement, improving the calculation accuracy, requiring less memory and improving on the weaknesses of conventional rock physics experiments which are time consuming and expensive. In order to estimate the rock moduli, we establish two models, and the digital rock sample is embedded in one of those. Using this method, it is possible to model the dynamic wave propagation and measure the time delay of the peak amplitude caused by the inhomogeneous structure of the digital rock sample, with the receivers set at the bottom of the two models. The time delay allows us to estimate the effective velocity of both compressional and shear waves, and therefore calculate the rock moduli. Additionally, comparison between the numerical simulated results obtained through this method and experimental results indicates that they agree well. Comparison with the numerical simulated results obtained via another method tests and verifies the accuracy and feasibility of the new method. Also, the equivalence conditions between this new method and the various rock physics models are inferred.