A finite element algorithm for parameter identification of material modelsfor fluid saturated porous media

In this contribution an algorithm for parameter identification of geometric ally linear Terzaghi-Biot-type fluid-saturated porous media is proposed, in which non-uniform distributions of the state variables such as stresses, s trains and fluid pore pressure are taken into account. To this end a least- squares functional consisting of experimental data and simulated data is mi nimized, whereby the latter are obtained with the finite element method. Th is strategy allows parameter identification based on in situ experiments. I n order to improve the efficiency of the minimization process, a gradient-b ased optimization algorithm is applied, and therefore the corresponding sen sitivity analysis for the coupled two-phase problem is described in a syste matic manner. For illustrative purpose, the performance of the algorithm is demonstrated for a slope stability problem, in which a quadratic Drucker-P rager plasticity model for the solid and a linear Darcy law for the fluid a re combined. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.