When the shale gas reservoir is fractured, stress shadows can cause reorientation of hydraulic fractures and affect the complexity. To reveal the variation of stress shadow with perforation spacing, the numerical model between different perforation spacing was simulated by the extended finite element method (XFEM). The variation of stress shadows was analyzed from the stress of two perforation centers, the fracture path, and the ratio of fracture length to spacing. The simulations showed that the reservoir rock at the two perforation centers is always in a state of compressive stress, and the smaller the perforation spacing, the higher the maximum compressive stress. Moreover, the compressive stress value can directly reflect the size of the stress shadow effect, which changes with the fracture propagation. When the fracture length extends to 2.5 times the perforation spacing, the stress shadow effect is the strongest. In addition, small perforation spacing leads to backward-spreading of hydraulic fractures, and the smaller the perforation spacing, the greater the deflection degree of hydraulic fractures. Additionally, the deflection angle of the fracture decreases with the expansion of the fracture. Furthermore, the perforation spacing has an important influence on the initiation pressure, and the smaller the perforation spacing, the greater the initiation pressure. At the same time, there is also a perforation spacing which minimizes the initiation pressure. However, when the perforation spacing increases to a certain value (the result of this work is about 14 m), the initiation pressure will not change. This study will be useful in guiding the design of programs in simultaneous fracturing.

The bedding planes of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs are relatively well developed. Bedding planes directly interfere with hydraulic fracture expansion. Determining how bedding planes influence hydraulic fractures is key for understanding the formation and evolution of hydraulic fracturing networks. After conducting X-ray diffraction analysis of shale, we used Python programming to establish a numerical model of mineral heterogeneity with a 0-thickness cohesive element and a bedding plane that was globally embedded. The influence of the bedding-plane angle on hydraulic fracture propagation was studied. Acoustic emission (AE) data were simulated using MATLAB programming to study fracture propagation in detail. The numerical simulation and AE data showed that the propagation paths of hydraulic fractures were determined by the maximum principal stress and bedding plane. Clearer bedding effects were observed with smaller angles between the bedding surface and the maximum principal stress. However, the bedding effect led to continuous bedding slip fractures, which is not conducive to forming a complex fracture network. At moderate bedding plane angles, cross-layer and bedding fractures alternately appeared, characteristic of intermittent dislocation fracture and a complex fracture network. During hydraulic fracturing, tensile fractures represented the dominant fracture type and manifested in cross-layer fractures. We observed large fracture widths, which are conducive to proppant migration and filling. However, the shear fractures mostly manifested as bedding slip fractures with small fracture widths. Combining the fracture-network, AE, and fractal dimension data showed that a complex fracture network was most readily generated when the angle between the bedding plane and the maximum principal stress was 30°. The numerical simulation results provide important technical information for fracturing construction, which should support the efficient extraction of unconventional tight oil and gas.

Due to poor engineering geological conditions of Liujiazhuang tunnel on Shanghai-Kunming Passenger Dedicated Line, the large deformation of weak rock occurs repeatedly during tunnel construction. In this paper, the large-scale finite element software ABAQUS is used to simulate the construction process of a large-section tunnel in weak surrounding rock. It is found that when tunnel face passes through the coal seam, the displacement and stress simulated by the bench method increase abruptly. The maximum stress reaches up to 18 MPa, and displacement reaches 45 mm, which is about twice when without crossing coal seam. It is technically feasible to use the bench method for tunnel construction, under the condition when large settlements is allowed; additionally, the bench method has better technical and economic benefits than that of the CD method. Through the comparative analysis of onsite monitoring data and numerical simulation results, it can be seen that the tunnel is in a dangerous state when passing through the coal seam and measures such as strengthening support or auxiliary advance support should be taken immediately to control the surrounding rock and to ensure tunnel construction safety.

To reveal the role of directional slotting parameters in controlling fracture development in hard roof rocks, a multilayer hydraulic fracturing simulation model based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) was constructed. Parametric analyses were conducted to examine how slot inclination, differential horizontal stress, and slot dimensions affect crack extension patterns, breakdown pressure, and the redistribution of surrounding stresses. The results indicate that layered strata significantly constrain fracture propagation and induce strong stress redistribution within the fracturing layer, accompanied by asymmetric stress responses across bedding interfaces. During propagation, the principal stress direction rotates and a localized stress reconstruction zone forms around the fracture. The slotting angle plays a key role in controlling fracture behavior. When the angle is below 60°, fracture propagation is dominated by the in situ stress field. When it increases to 75° or higher, slot‐guided effects become dominant, leading to a pronounced deviation in the fracture path. The breakdown pressure shows a nonmonotonic trend with the slotting angle, peaking near 60°, indicating a strong competition between slot guidance and stress control. At 75° slotting, increasing stress difference shifts fracture behavior from slot‐controlled to stress‐controlled, with increasing breakdown pressure. Slot geometry further affects initiation behavior: diamond‐shaped slots generate the lowest breakdown pressure, followed by elliptical and circular slots. A larger slot size significantly reduces breakdown pressure. These findings demonstrate that fracture propagation in layered hard roofs is jointly governed by stratigraphic constraints, directional slot guidance, and in situ stress, providing guidance for parameter optimization in pressure relief design.