Integration schemes with substepping algorithms for creep analysis in geomaterials

Abstract

SummaryThis paper describes a robust and efficient methodology for predicting displacements, deformations, and stresses in geomaterials that are susceptible to creep. The methodology is based on two integration schemes, which consider substepping algorithms. The first scheme is used for integrating space‐time relations in a global sense, whereas the second scheme is used for integrating stress‐stain relations in a local sense. Different from previous studies, both integration schemes are easy to implement and general in the sense that they can be applied to any type of creep law. Through an in‐house finite element simulator, several numerical tests are performed. They include triaxial and wellbore closure analyses considering soft soils and salt rocks. The results show that the combination of both schemes leads to stable and accurate solutions with reduced computational time.