Creation of optimal fracture networks through enhanced geothermal system within the reservoir for the extraction of the geothermal energy will require proper understanding of the thermo-mechanical behavior of the reservoir rocks i.e. granites. Current research work has focused the thermo-mechanical properties of granite under various temperature and strain rate conditions. Bundelkhand granite of India has been investigated for the proposed research work. Four different strain rates viz. 0.05, 0.5, 5.0 and 50.0 mm/min at three different temperatures viz. room temperature (25 °C), 200 and 400 °C were considered for experimental analysis. It was observed that at room temperature, with increasing strain rate the uniaxial compressive strength of the rock increases and the same trend is also observed at higher temperature conditions. However, at low strain rate (0.05 mm/min) the compressive strength decreases with increase in temperature and the trend is irregular at higher strain rates. It was also observed that Young’s modulus of Bundelkhand granite increases with increase in strain rate however it reduces with increase in temperature. Thermal conductivity value of Bundelkhand granite ranges from 3.1 to 3.6 W/m K. |
