Consolidation of a poroelastic half-space

Abstract

A porous medium is an elastic solid permeated by an interconnected network of pores filled with a fluid. Both solid and pore network are assumed to be continuous so as to form two interpenetrating continua. The theory of poroelasticity investigates the time-dependent coupling between the deformation of the elastic solid skeleton and fluid flow within the skeleton. The solid-to-fluid and fluid-to-solid couplings are assumed to occur instantaneously in the quasi-static approximation in which elastic wave propagation is ignored. Consolidation of a poroelastic body takes place when it is acted upon by surface loads. The study of consolidation of a poroelastic half-space or stratum has received much attention due to its geophysical and engineering applications. The aim of the present paper is to review recent work on the subject, indicating the assumptions made, methods used and conclusions drawn.