Effects of finite strains in fully coupled 3D geomechanical simulations

Numerical modeling of geomechanical phenomena and geo-engineering problems often involves complex issues related to several variables and corresponding coupling effects. Under certain circumstances, both soil and rock may experience a nonlinear material response caused by, for example, plastic, viscous, or damage behavior or even a nonlinear geometric response due to large deformations or displacements of the solid. Furthermore, the presence of one or more fluids (water, oil, gas, etc.) within the skeleton must be taken into account when evaluating the interaction between the different phases of the continuum body. A multiphase three-dimensional (3D) coupled model of finite strains, suitable for dealing with solid-displacement and fluid-diffusion problems, is described for assumed elastoplastic behavior of the solid phase. Particularly, a 3D mixed finite element was implemented to fulfill stability requirements of the adopted formulation, and a permeability tensor dependent on deformation is introduced. A consolidation scenario induced by silo filling was investigated, and the effects of the adoption of finite strains are discussed