Events

Compaction bands form when the pore spaces between the solid grains of a rock mass collapse into a narrow zone. This deformation style has attracted much attention in the theoretical and numerical modeling community since the porosity reduction associated with pore collapse reduces the overall permeability of the rock, thus enhancing its potential to serve as a fluid flow barrier. Recent publications demonstrate the capability of the phase-field modeling approach for capturing the formation and propagation of compaction bands in porous rocks. In this talk, we will utilize the phase-field approach to show how grain crushing and fluid flow impact the formation and propagation of compaction bands. We employ a three-field finite element formulation in terms of solid displacement, fluid pressure, and the phase-field variable for this purpose. Using material parameters calibrated from real rocks, we show how the volume constraint imposed by fluid flow could impact the stress-strain responses of the rock as well as the ensuing geometric style of the compaction band.

Bio: Ronaldo Borja works in theoretical and computational geomechanics, geotechnical engineering, and geosciences. His research includes the development of mathematical and computational frameworks for multiscale and multi-physical processes in geomechanics and other related fields. He is the author of a textbook entitled Plasticity Modeling and Computation published by Springer and serves as executive editor of two journals in his field: the International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics and Acta Geotechnica. Ronaldo Borja is the recipient of the 2016 ASCE Maurice A. Biot Medal for his work in computational poromechanics.