Thermo-elasto-plastic modeling of saturated clays under undrained conditions

Abstract

This paper aims to model the thermo-mechanical behavior of saturated clays under undrained conditions. Classic thermo-hydro-mechanical formulations obtained using different approaches were compared and discussed, showing their compatibility and differences. A thermo-elasto-plastic model called TEAM, using a two-surface approach, was developed for saturated clays under undrained conditions in the framework of thermo-poro-mechanics. The aim of the model is to predict a smooth transition between the elastic and elastoplastic states. Two additional physical parameters, namely volumetric thermal expansion coefficient and pore water compressibility, were back analyzed from the results of the undrained heating tests. By simulating experiments found in the literature, it was shown that this model is appropriate in capturing the evolution of pore water pressure of saturated clays under non-isothermal undrained conditions.