ENME E6320: Computational Poromechanics

Course Overview

This introductory course focuses on the fundamental principles of poromechanics essential for engineering practice. It will prepare you with the foundational knowledge and skills for more advanced study in porous media. You’ll explore concepts of mechanics and physics such as balance principles, poroelasticity, mixture theory, and the constitutive modeling of complex multiphase materials. Building on this theoretical foundation, you'll learn how to develop computer models for real-world applications, such as geotechnical engineering, hydraulic fracture, and geological storage of nuclear waste. Selected computational methods, such as the mixed finite element method for parabolic and hyperbolic problems, phase field fracture, and operator-splitting time integration, will be covered. 

Course Instructor

Steve Sun

Associate Professor

Sun is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Columbia University, focusing on integrating machine learning with solid mechanics. His research focuses on developing interpretable, physics-informed models that enhance the predictive capabilities of computational mechanics, particularly for materials with complex behaviors such as anisotropy, plasticity, and fracture. Sun received the IACM John Argyris Award for his contribution to applications of machine learning for solid mechanics.