Features of deformation of poroelastic media with low structural strength

Many natural and technological processes are associated with deformation an d fracture of saturated or being saturated poroelastic media. Among such pr ocesses one can mention fluid soaking through a dam, fluid inflow to the cr acks of hydraulic fracture, polishing using porous materials and special fl uids, flow in catalytic pellets. All these processes are accompanied by def ormation and fracture of a matrix with fluid flow. The effects at the inter face porous body-fluid are essential for the processes. The specific features of deformation of poroelastic media with low structur al strength are considered in this paper. The compressibility of the matrix skeleton is larger as compared to the compressibility of the saturating fl uid in such media. It is shown that the oozing of the fluid at the surface of the poroelastic medium occurs in the consolidated flow regime under the action of 'fluid pi ston' like loads if the structural strength of the medium is low. This resu lt is obtained for both plane (deformation of a layer or halfinfinite mediu m) and centrally symmetric (deformation of a sphere) problems. (C) 2000 Aca demie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.