Force relaxation response in the poroelastic axisymmetric Boussinesq problem for an indenter of arbitrary profiles I: Permeable and impermeable surface drainage conditions

Abstract

In this study, we have derived a theoretical solution for the poroelastic axisymmetric Boussinesq problem when an indenter with arbitrary profiles is subjected to step displacement loading. The analysis is conducted within the framework of Biot’s theory, employing the McNamee–Gibson displacement function method. We explore two distinct scenarios for surface drainage boundary conditions: one where the surface allows full permeability and another where it is fully impermeable. The formulation of the mechanical boundary condition at the surface relies on an equation that establishes the relationship between the depth of indentation and the contact radius. Our solution encompasses two aspects: force asymptotes at the undrained and drained limits, and a normalized force relaxation that accounts for transient responses. Specific findings are presented for three indenter shapes: paraboloidal, conical, and cylindrical. Of particular significance, we demonstrate that for these specific indenter shapes, the normalized force relaxation at ω=0 can be expressed in closed form in the Laplace domain. In addition to this analytical breakthrough, we conducted numerical simulations employing actual indenters. Remarkably, the normalized force relaxation curves from actual indenters show negligible dependence on material properties and closely align with our closed-form solution at ω=0. This finding suggests that the closed-form solution could act as a universal master curve capable of characterizing the normalized force relaxation response in instances of a real indenter, irrespective of material properties.