Characterization of Eagle Ford Shale

This paper presents the synthesized and characterized properties of Eagle Ford Shale (EFS) based on the collected data and laboratory testing results from the canceled Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) site in Texas, USA. Index and mechanical properties of the clay shale were summarized and analyzed statistically. Correlations between index and mechanical properties were established. The estimated shear strength of the intact shale was based on the results of drained triaxial compression and extension tests. The results from uniaxial compression test on vertical and inclined cores and from the triaxial compression and extension tests show that the shale has strength anisotropy. Shear strength along the discontinuities was estimated based on the results from direct shear and triaxial tests on samples with preexisting joints. Constitutive models and bounds of drained shear strengths were evaluated and proposed for intact clay shale, bedding planes, and discontinuities. The information on strength parameters and discontinuities can be used as the basis of future design and numerical studies.