Poroelastic coupling in layered porous media
M. Ferronato, G. Gambolati, P. Teatini
Dept. Mathematical Methods and Models for Scientific
Applications, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
ABSTRACT
The importance of poroelastic coupling between stress and flow
fields induced by different strength sources in shallow layered porous
media is analyzed by a three-dimensional (3D)
Finite Element (FE) consolidation model. The problems of a uniform pore
pressure decline within a cylindrical reservoir, a distributed groundwater
pumping from a three-layer aquifer system, and a uniform surface load over
ground surface have been investigated. The results show that flow
and stress fields can be uncoupled in the depleted reservoir and pumped
aquifer as is assumed in the classical theory of flow through porous media,
while the poroelastic coupling effect appears to play a more
important role when the porous medium deformation is due to an
external surface load.
