Finite element analysis of non-isothermal multiphase geomaterials with application to strain localization simulation

Finite element analysis of non-isothermal elasto-plastic multiphase geomaterials is presented. The multiphase material is modelled as a deforming porous continuum where heat, water and gas flow are taken into account. The independent variables are the solid displacements, the capillary and the gas pressure and the temperature. The modified effective stress state is limited by the Drucker-Prager yield surface for simplicity. Small strains and quasi-static loading conditions are assumed. Numerical results of strain localization in globally undrained samples of dense, medium dense and loose sands and isochoric geomaterial are presented. A biaxial compression test is simulated assuming plane strain condition during the computations. Vapour pressure below the saturation water pressure (cavitation) develops at localization in case of dense sands, as experimentally observed. A case of strain localization induced by a thermal load where evaporation takes place is also analysed.