Deformation and fluid flow due to a source in a poro-elastic layer (Q1384377)

We consider the flow of fluid from a point source or sink at some arbitrary height in a layer of deformable porous material. This problem is applicable to filtration through beds of sand and flow in soils. The porous material is assumed to be an isotropic, homogeneous, linearly elastic solid. The equations governing the behavior of the medium and fluid are derived for an axisymmetric geometry using linear poro-elasticity theory, and are solved using the Hankel transform with the Hankel inversion integral evaluated numerically. The upper surface is stress free and permeable, with the lower surface impermeable to fluid flow. Two different boundary conditions are applied to the lower surface, stress free and tethered. Results are given for the pressure contours, surface fluid velocity, and for the displacement of the solid matrix for a variety of source heights and boundary conditions.