Modelling and applications of dissolution of rocks in geoengineering

The subsoil contains many evaporites such as limestone, gypsum, and salt. Such rocks are very sensitive to water. The deposit of evaporites raises questions because of their dissolution with time and the mechanical-geotechnical impact on the neighboring zone. Depending on the configuration of the site and the location of the rocks, the dissolution can lead to surface subsidence and, for instance, the formation of sinkholes and landslides. In this study, we present an approach that describes the dissolution process and its coupling with geotechnical engineering. In the first part we set the physico-mathematical framework, the hypothesis, and the limitations in which the dissolution process is stated. The physical interface between the fluid and the rock (porous) is represented by a diffuse interface of finite thickness. We briefly describe, in the framework of porous media, the steps needed to upscale the microscopic-scale (pore-scale) model to the macroscopic scale (Darcy scale). Although the constructed method has a large range of application, we will restrict it to saline and gypsum rocks. The second part is mainly devoted to the geotechnical consequences of the dissolution of gypsum material. We then analyze the effect of dissolution in the vicinity of a soil dam or slope and the partial dissolution of a gypsum pillar by a thin layer of water. These theoretical examples show the relevance and the potential of the approach in the general framework of geoengineering problems.

Automated summary

This study presents an approach to describe the dissolution process of evaporite rocks and its impact on geotechnical engineering. It explores the geological and engineering implications of the dissolution process and presents a method to model it. Although the method has a broad range of application, this study focuses on saline and gypsum rocks. The second part of the study analyzes the geotechnical consequences of gypsum dissolution, including its impact on soil dams, slopes, and pillars.