This paper identifies formation interfaces that would appear to be "weak interfaces", in the Jurassic, Early- Cretaceous Vaca Muerta formation, in the Neuquén Basin, Argentina. Significant distribution of the weak interfaces was observed including contacts between volcanic ash layers of varying thicknesses, calcite-filled veins, and contacts between lithology changes, such as between argillaceous mudstone and mottled carbonates....

An earlier paper defined mineral and organic matter constituents in weak interfaces in shale formations (Ptaszynska, et. al., 2016). The formation studied in the earlier work and here is the Jurassic, early-Cretaceous Vaca Muerta formation in the Neuquen basin in Argentina. In this earlier work, mineralized "veins" were noted to be prevalent and complicated, sometimes being shear weak interfaces while in other cases they were not....

The effects of heterogeneities (weak zones in particular) inadhesive joints and their importance on overall fracture propertiesare relatively unknown, but doubtlessly they may be crucial inmany applications. Using a model heterogeneous adhesive bond,represented by a given mixture of regions of strong and weakadhesion, we have studied the influence of interface variabilityon overall fracture energy (global energy release rate)....

The quality of interlayer bonding at the interfaces between the asphalt layers in flexible pavements affects the overall pavement performance. Lack or partial lack of interlayer bonding between asphalt layers can cause pavement's premature failures such as rutting, slippage of the wearing course, cracking or simply a reduction in the calculated fatigue life of the pavement structure. This paper shows the case studies of investigation...

The main aim of this dissertation is to determine the role of mineral and organic matter constituents in kerogen transformation ratio. Practical aspects of the work include application of the results in the assessment of hydrocarbon production potential; to make process of hydrocarbon recovery more predictable consistent and efficient. The work used shale from the Vaca Muerta formation from the Nequen basin in Argentina. The formation...