Staged Finite Element Modeling with Coupled Seepage and Stress Analysis

This paper proposes an approach for staged finite element modeling with coupled seepage and stress analysis. The stage modeling is based on the predefined inter-relationship between the base model and the unit stage models. A unit stage constitutes a complete finite element model, of which the geometries and attributes are subject to changes from stage to stage. The seepage analysis precedes the mechanical stress analysis at every stage. Division of the wet and dry zone and the pore pressures are evaluated from the seepage analysis and used in determining input data for the stress analysis. The results of the stress analysis may also be associated with the pore water pressures. For consolidation analysis, the pore pressure and the displacement variables are mixed in a coupled matrix equation. The time marching solution produces the dissipation of excess pore pressure and variation of stresses with passage of time. For undrained analysis, the excess pore pressures are computed from the stress increment due to loading applied in the unit stage and are used in revising the hydraulic head. The solution results of a unit stage are inherited and accumulated to the subsequent stages through the relationship of the base model and the individual unit stages. Implementation of the proposed approach is outlined on the basis of the core procedures, and numerical examples are presented for demonstration of its application.