Exact stiffness method for quasi-statics of a multi-layered poroelastic medium (Q675483)

A method is presented to study the three-dimensional quasi-static response of a multi-layered poroelastic half-space with compressible constituents. The system under consideration consists of \(N\) layers of different thickness and material properties overlying a homogeneous halfspace. Fourier expansion, Laplace transforms and Hankel transforms with respect to the circumferential, time and radial coordinates, respectively, are used in the formulation. The global stiffness matrix of a layered system is assembled by considering the continuity of tractions and fluid flow at layer interfaces. The time histories of displacements, stresses and pore pressure are obtained by solving the stiffness equation system for discrete values of Laplace and Hankel transform parameters, and using numerical quadrature schemes for Laplace and Hankel transform inversions. Selected numerical results for different layered systems illustrate the influence of layering and poroelastic material properties.