Numerical simulation of coupled thermo-hydro-chemo-mechanical processes through the linking of hydrothermal and solid mechanics codes

A numerical simulator is developed to examine coupled thermal-hydrologic- mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes in fractured porous geological media. The simulator links the computational codes TOUGHREACT and FLAC3D, which individually model thermal-hydrologic-chemicalTHC) and mechanical (M) processes, respectively. The coupled scheme is shown capable of representing undrained response of saturated media to mechanical loading. Embryonic mechanical and transport constitutive laws are developed which are capable of accommodating combined mechanical, thermal, and chemical effects. Initial characterizations note the significant anticipated influence of stress on chemical behavior. The coupled model is applied to examine the evolution of pore fluid pressures, stresses, and temperatures in a stimulated EGS geothermal reservoir where the effects of stresses on multiphase reactive flow are important Copy; 2006, ARMA, American Rock Mechanics Association.