Elastoplastic damage modelling of argillite in partially saturated condition and application

This paper presents an elastoplastic damage model for argillites in unsaturated and saturated conditions. A short resume of experimental investigations is presented in the first part. Based on experimental data and micromechanical considerations, a general constitutive model is proposed for the poromechanical behavior of argillite in both saturated and unsaturated conditions. The proposed model is formulated within the framework of poroplasticity and continuum damage mechanics. Main features observed in experimental data are taken into account, in particular the elastic degradation due to microcracks, coupling between plastic deformation and induced damage, influence of water saturation on plastic flow and damage evolution, as well as variation of permeability with induced damage. The performance of the model is examined by comparing numerical simulation with test data in representative load paths. Finally, the model is applied to a hydromechanical coupling analysis of a cavity subjected to excavation and ventilation. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.