Numerical analyses of mesh size effects on core discing.

Although the nonlinear numerical methods to study core discing mechanisms have their merits in terms of linear elastic models, the effects of mechanical parameters and mesh size in numerical simulations still have limits on the accuracy of the results. To address this problem, a parametric sensitivity analysis was conducted to understand the influence of shear and tensile mechanical parameters and mesh size on the numerical results of core discing. Numerical results show that the shear and tensile mechanical parameters have a "cliff effect" on the core discing process. The mechanical responses of the core, the borehole sidewall, and the bottom of the kerf were also contributing to this effect. Next, the simulations using different mesh sizes were conducted to achieve a best fit between the stress-strain curves and the failure modes. Finally, a method was introduced to eliminate the mesh size effects on rock discing in our numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]