Coupling vs stress sources in a layered poroelastic medium
D. Bau', M. Ferronato, G. Gambolati, P. Teatini
Dept. Mathematical Methods and Models for Scientific
Applications, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
ABSTRACT
The present paper deals with an analysis of the importance of coupling between the
stress and flow fields induced by different strength sources in a layered
poroelastic medium. The problems of a distributed water pumping from a
three-layer system and a distributed surface load on the top have been investigated
through a three-dimensional coupled consolidation model. The results show that
the flow and stress fields can be uncoupled in pumped aquifers, as is usually
assumed in the classical groundwater hydrology, while the coupling effect appears
to be more important when the porous medium deformation is due to an external load.
