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Formulation and application of element methods in the simulation of pressure and temperature history of geological basins
Author(s) -
Søreng Jan
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
international journal for numerical and analytical methods in geomechanics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.419
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1096-9853
pISSN - 0363-9061
DOI - 10.1002/nag.1610140802
Subject(s) - discretization , finite element method , conservation of mass , conservation of energy , conservation law , numerical analysis , sedimentary basin , mathematics , geology , geotechnical engineering , mechanics , mathematical analysis , engineering , physics , structural basin , structural engineering , thermodynamics , paleontology
A mathematical model treating the compaction of sediments in geological basins is derived. The model is based on the principle of conservation of mass and energy, and gives a consistent and complete set of equations for compaction, pressure and temperature history of sedimentary basins. Further, the paper describes a numerical model based on the mathematical equations, derived by using the finite element method. This derivation starts with the time‐discretized versions of the conservation laws of mass and energy. The result is the time‐discretized equations for pressure and temperature. The numerical derivation is parallel with the mathematical deductions. By integrating these time‐discretized equations spatially the element equations are obtained. Hence, the element equations are derived directly from the underlying physical laws. This approach to developing element equations in a compacting medium is believed to be new. The model has been tested successfully on some geological basins, and the results of a simulation are included at the end of the paper.