Consolidation of a poroelastic half-space with anisotropic permeability and compressible constituents by axisymmetric surface loading

Abstract

The fully coupled Biot quasi-static theory of linear poroelasticity is used to study the consolidation of a poroelastic half-space caused by axisymmetric surface loads. The fluid and solid constituents of the poroelastic medium are compressible and its permeability in the vertical direction is different from its permeability in the horizontal direction. An analytical solution of the governing equations is obtained by taking the displacements and the pore pressure as the basic state variables and using a combination of the Laplace and Hankel transforms. The problem of an axisymmetric normal load is discussed in detail. An explicit analytical solution is obtained for normal disc loading. Detailed numerical computations reveal that the anisotropy in permeability as well as the compressibilities of the fluid and solid constituents of the poroelastic medium have significant effects on the consolidation of the half-space. The anisotropy in permeability may accelerate the consolidation process and may lead to a dilution in the theoretical prediction of the Mandel-Cryer effect. The compressibility of the solid constituents may also accelerate the consolidation process.