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Numerical modelling of void inclusions in porous media
Author(s) -
RodríguezFerran Antonio,
Sarrate Josep,
Huerta Antonio
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.891
Subject(s) - porous medium , permeability (electromagnetism) , finite element method , darcy's law , mechanics , porosity , void (composites) , computer science , mathematics , materials science , geology , geotechnical engineering , engineering , structural engineering , physics , composite material , chemistry , biochemistry , membrane
Numerical modelling of porous flow in a low‐permeability matrix with high‐permeability inclusions is a challenging task because the large ratio of permeabilities ill‐conditions the finite element system of equations. We propose a coupled model where Darcy flow is used for the porous matrix and potential flow is used for the inclusions. We discuss appropriate interface conditions in detail and show that the head drop in the inclusions can be prescribed in a very simple way. Algorithmic aspects are treated in full detail. Numerical examples show that this coupled approach precludes ill‐conditioning and is more efficient than heterogeneous Darcy flow. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.