Refined Characterization and Analysis of Shallow Crustal Stresses Based on Hydraulic Fracturing Data

XIONG Sijie; MA Xiaodong; YANG Yuehui; WU Bangchen; LI Awei; SUN Dongsheng

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025096

Volume 32 Issue 2

Apr. 2026

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XIONG S J，MA X D，YANG Y H，et al.，xxxx. Refined Characterization and Analysis of Shallow Crustal Stresses Based on Hydraulic Fracturing Data[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，x（x）：1−13 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025096

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Refined Characterization and Analysis of Shallow Crustal Stresses Based on Hydraulic Fracturing Data

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025096

XIONG Sijie^1
,,
MA Xiaodong^{1
,
,},
YANG Yuehui^{2, 3
,},
WU Bangchen^{2, 3
,},
LI Awei^{2, 3
,},
SUN Dongsheng^{2, 3
,}

1.
State Key Laboratory of Precision Geodesy, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
2.
Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
3.
Engineering Technology Innovation Center of In-situ Stress, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100081, China

Funds: This research was financially supported by Deep Earth Probe and Mineral Resources Exploration-National Science and Technology Major Project (Grant No. 2024ZD1000705).

More Information

Received: 2025-07-30
Revised: 2026-01-02
Accepted: 2026-01-06

Available Online: 2026-03-24

Abstract

Abstract

Objective In situ stress field characterization is crucial for underground engineering safety, rock stability evaluation, and resource development. Current research in Guangdong Province is mainly concentrated on deep crustal levels, where stress interpretations predominantly rely on focal mechanism inversion and numerical modelling, while shallow stress conditions (<500 m) remain insufficiently constrained due to a lack of direct measurements and fine-scale analysis. To address this gap, this study constructs a shallow stress profile for two boreholes (ZK1 and ZK2, both < 500 m deep) in central-southern Guangdong using hydraulic fracturing and ultrasonic imaging data, aiming to refine shallow stress magnitudes, orientations, and occurrence mechanism. Methods Borehole imaging was applied to record hydraulic fracture morphology before and after pressurization, ensuring accurate extraction of the principal stress orientation, while pressure curves and overburden stress were combined to determine stress magnitude. Stress regimes were further characterized using the A_φ parameter, and only intervals demonstrating reliable fracture propagation and stable pressurization response were selected to ensure high-quality stress results. Based on this, a shallow stress profile was established, and the Coulomb failure criterion was used to compute slip tendency (T_s) to evaluate natural fracture stability. Results Within 253.8-349.8 m in ZK1, S_hmin ranges from 7.8-12.1 MPa and S_Hmax from 13.7-21.7 MPa, corresponding to A_φ ≈ 2-3, indicative of thrust-faulting stress. In ZK2 at 129.2-471.2 m, S_hmin is 5.8-9.9 MPa and S_Hmax 9.7-18.2 MPa, and A_φ shows a depth-dependent transition: thrust-faulting characteristics (A_φ ≈ 2-3) above 215.3 m, strike-slip stress (A_φ ≈ 1-2) at intermediate depths, and gradual evolution toward normal-faulting stress (A_φ ≈ 0-1) at greater depths. Hydraulic fractures in both boreholes are predominantly sub-vertical with stable maximum horizontal stress orientations of N18°W in ZK1 and N15°W in ZK2, maintaining standard deviations <10°. Nonetheless, shallow intervals show pronounced azimuth deflection, with ZK1 above ~293 m deviating 23° and ZK2 above ~203 m deviating 29° toward the NNE, maybe suggesting fracture-induced heterogeneity weakens the rock mass, modifies local stress anisotropy, and causes reorientation of S_Hmax. Slip tendency calculations show T_s <0.4 throughout ZK2, indicating good fracture stability, whereas in ZK1, clusters within 290 ± 30 m reach T_s ≈0.6 near the frictional instability limit, accompanied by elevated S_Hmax relative to predicted trends, implying higher reactivation potential and mechanical risk. Conclusions ZK1 is dominated by thrust-faulting stress with S_Hmax trending ~N18°W. ZK2 exhibits a progressive transformation from thrust to strike-slip to normal-faulting stress state as depth increases, with S_Hmax consistently oriented between N15°W–N18°W. The shallow stress field (<500 m) is different from deeper crust (>5 km), where strike-slip and normal-fault regimes dominate due to high vertical lithostatic loads, while reduced vertical stress in shallow rock favors horizontal compression and thrust-related stress. Fractures in ZK2 are stable, whereas ZK1 contains intervals with high slip potential, which require priority monitoring. [ Significance] This work provides shallow in situ stress datasets for Guangdong derived from field measurements, significantly improves hydraulic fracturing interpretation reliability, offers essential mechanical parameters for near-surface engineering construction and hazard assessment, and demonstrates that shallow crust stress evolution is controlled by mechanisms distinct from deeper tectonic stress fields, highlighting the scientific necessity of shallow stress measurement.
- In situ stress,
- Hydraulic fracturing,
- Stress field,
- Stress occurrence state,
- Slip tendency

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