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Center for Nonlinear Studies |
Continuum modeling of porous media from a micromechanical approach often employs simple models of porous media together with well-known principles of statistical ensemble averaging, effective medium (mean-field) approximations and other relevant techniques from condensed matter physics. Some recent applications of this approach to saturated porous media modelling will be discussed including the issues of uplift, effective stress, friction and capillarity. Simplified statistical mechanical models in conjunction with extensive computer simulations have been used successfully to obtain estimates of Reynolds dilatancy and shear strength of idealized granular media (rigid-sphere assemblies). Detailed shape and evolution of dilatancy and yield surfaces as a function of various microstructural parameters and loading have been computed, linking the effective continuum plasticity to particulate microstructure and micromechanics. More recently, we have developed a very promising meso-level description in terms of evolution equations governing contact normal, simplex statistics etc. In summary, developements in continuum modelling of mechanics of dry and saturated porous media from a micromechanical ansatz will be reviewed and future research trends will be discussed.