A transversely isotropic thermo-poroelastic model for claystone: parameter identification and application to a 3D underground structure

ABSTRACT

A transversely isotropic thermo-poroelastic constitutive law is developed and implemented in the finite element code Code_Aster (EDF, France). It is then validated using an analytic solution for an inclined borehole in a transversely isotropic medium. A strategy for identifying the parameters of the transversely isotropic thermo-poroelastic model based on an inverse method is proposed on the basis of different laboratory tests. To demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the model, it is then applied in a three-dimensional numerical model of an underground structure in a parameter sensitivity study. The results of the modelling highlight the importance of accounting for anisotropic phenomena when determining the dimensions of underground facilities. The whole approach is presented in the paper, from model development to application to 3D numerical modelling to an engineering case study.

KEYWORDS:

• Poromechanical couplings
• transverse isotropy
• analytic solution
• 3D numerical modelling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.