A versatile mathematical approach for environmental geomechanic modelling based on stress state decomposition

Abstract

The main goal of the present paper is to present a mathematical framework for modelling multi-phase non-saturated soil consolidation with pollutant transport based on stress state configurations with special emphasis in its versatility. Non-linear saturation and permeability dependence on suction for both water and pollutant transport is regarded. Furthermore, through the introduction of a suction saturation surface instead of simple suction saturation curves, the implementation of the saturation–suction coupling effect is considerably simplified. The achieved differential equation system is discretized within a Galerkin approach along with the finite element method implementation. A widespread set of practical situations is encompassed by simply setting certain coefficients of the discrete system of equation according to concrete problem conditions. When the model is coped with certain selected fringe conditions, the approach adaptability feature came up showing a robust performance.