Verification of Finite Element Methods Used to Predict Creep Response of Leached Salt Caverns

摘要

The use of material properties from triaxial creep tests in conjunction with finite element analyses provides a reasonably reliable method for predicting the volumetric response of salt caverns due to creep. The material testing procedures and the analytical approach used here have been shown to be valid by comparison of analytical results with flow rate and total volume data obtained in the field. These methods are being used to predict the response of new and existing caverns which will be employed in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve program. (ERA citation 07:045726)