Xiang Yu

The fluid flow in underground reservoirs is directly related to resource recovery and hazard prevention. In this study, the evolution of fractured sandstone deformation and permeability under an in situ stress influence is investigated using the true triaxial percolation system. The results show that the strain of fractured sandstone increases logarithmically with the increase in axial stress. The evolution of axial strain is dominated by the maximum principal stress, and the minimum principal stress and the intermediate principal stress affect the strain amplitude. The fracture morphology of low-permeability sandstone affects permeability and strain evolution. Small fractures are more sensitive to the increase in the maximum principal stress, and the response in principal strain to the increase in principal stress is obvious in large fractures. There is a negative exponential relationship between pore pressure and the conductivity of fractures. When pore pressure is 0.3 MPa, the conductivity is the highest; meanwhile, when pore pressure is 1.8 MPa, the conductivity is the lowest. The decreasing range of the conductivity increases with the increase in fracture size. In situ stress significantly affects the evolution of principal strain and related permeability. The permeability decreases with an increase in the minimum and middle principal stresses. Under low pore pressure (0.3–0.6 MPa), the permeability decreases with an increase in the principal stress; meanwhile, under high pore pressure (0.6–1.8 MPa), permeability changes slightly with an increase in the principal stress. The findings provide reference to the engineering practice of underground mining.