A micro-structured continuum modelling compacting fluid-saturated grounds: the effects of pore-size scale parameter

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a pore-size scale parameter influences the compaction behavior of fluid-saturated grounds using micro-structured continuum models, with implications for understanding micro-earthquake phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a micro-structured continuum model incorporating pore-size effects and compares it with homogenized asymptotic models for ground compaction analysis.

Findings

Dependence of field equations on pore-size parameter l

Prediction of micro-displacement waves during ground settling

Potential explanation for microearthquake genesis

Abstract

The effect of a "pore-size" length-scale parameter l on compaction of grounds with fluid inclusions is studied. They are modelled as continua endowed with micro-structure by means of the macro-modelling procedure proposed in [2]. We show the dependence of field evolution equations on the micro-structure parameter l and compare our model with the homogenized asymptotic ones. The consideration of the pore size 1 allows us to forecast the onset of micro-displacement waves as a consequence of a ground settling and to suggest a possible description of the genesis of certain microearthquakes [5] [6].