A New Method for Constructing Fractured Synthetic Cores with Defined Roughness Pattern Suitable for Testing in Reservoir Conditions

This article focuses on the process of manufacturing of 1.5-inche diameter synthetic cores for fracture studies. The results of this study are suitable for rock mechanical studies as well as reservoir engineering and geomechanical experiments. These cores were manufactured by a fracture pattern, and the main focus on them was the possibility of performing the surface roughness characteristic in a controlled manner. In these cores, unlike the same examples, the roughness pattern was created non-randomly. For this purpose, the Triangular form (Sawtooth) was used as a supposed synthetic structure in the design of rough patterns. To achieve this goal, Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) has been selected as the main material after studying on a variety of materials to make synthetic samples. To perform concrete, and considering RPC, several mixing designs were tested. The accepted mixing designs are compared together and presented as the results of the research. The structure and texture of provided core are similar to natural ones, in comparison with the other common samples were made of fiberglass. High Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), and ability to implementation a variety of specific and complex geometric patterns such as Triangular Pattern (Sawtooth form), are two complementary advantages of the proposed samples. It should be mentioned that making the patterns on natural rocks is usually impossible, and also expensive, while cheap with high UCS in the case of synthetic samples. Also these cores haven’t any micro-fractures. The capability of perfectly suiting the particles helps to implement variety patterns.