A Complex Network Approach for Quantitative Characterization and Robustness Analysis of Sandstone Pore Network Structure

Abstract

The rational characterization and quantitative analysis of the complex internal pore structure of rock is the foundation to solve many underground engineering problems. In this paper, CT imaging technology is used to directly characterize the three-dimensional pore network topology of sandstone with different porosity. Then, in view of the problem, which is difficult to quantify the detailed topological structure of the sandstone pore networks in the previous study, the new complex network theory is used to characterize the pore structure. PageRank algorithm is based on the number of connections between targets as a measure index to rank the targets, so the network degree distribution, average path length, clustering coefficient, and robustness based on PageRank algorithm and permeability-related topological parameters are studied. The research shows that the degree distribution of sandstone pore network satisfies power law distribution, and it can be characterized by scale-free network model. The permeability of rock is inversely proportional to the average path length of sandstone network. The sandstone pore network has strong robustness to random disturbance, while a small number of pores with special topological properties play a key role in the macroscopic permeability of sandstone. This study attempts to provide a new perspective of quantifying the microstructure of the pore network of sandstone and revealing the microscopic structure mechanism of macroscopic permeability of pore rocks.