Poroelasticity theory can be used to analyse the coupled interaction between fluid flow and porous media (matrix) deformation. The classical theory of linear poroelasticity captures this coupling by combining Terzaghi’s effective stress with a linear continuity equation. Linear poroelasticity is a good model for very small deformations; however, it becomes less accurate for moderate to large deformations. On the other hand, the theory of large-deformation poroelasticity combines Terzaghi’s effective stress with a nonlinear continuity equation. In this paper, we present a finite element solver for linear and nonlinear poroelasticity problems on triangular meshes based on the displacement-pressure two-field model. We then compare the predictions of linear poroelasticity with those of large-deformation poroelasticity in the context of a two-dimensional model problem where flow through elastic, saturated porous media, under applied mechanical oscillations, is considered. In addition, the impact of introducing a deformation-dependent permeability according to the Kozeny-Carman equation is explored. We computationally show that the errors in the displacement and pressure fields that are obtained using the linear poroelasticity are primarily due to the lack of the kinematic nonlinearity. Furthermore, the error in the pressure field is amplified by incorporating a constant permeability rather than a deformation-dependent permeability.

Water injection in the aquifer induces deformations in the soil. These mechanical deformations give rise to a change in porosity and permeability, which results in non-linearity of the mathematical problem. Assuming that the deformations are very small, the model provided by Biot’s theory of linear poroelasticity is used to determine the local displacement of the skeleton of a porous medium, as well as the fluid flow through the pores. In this continuum scale model, the Kozeny–Carman equation is commonly used to determine the permeability of the porous medium from the porosity. The Kozeny–Carman relation states that flow through the pores is possible at a certain location as long as the porosity is larger than zero at this location in the aquifer. However, from network models it is known that percolation thresholds exist, indicating that the permeability will be equal to zero if the porosity becomes smaller than these thresholds. In this paper, the relationship between permeability and porosity is investigated. A new permeability-porosity relation, based on the percolation theory, is derived and compared with the Kozeny–Carman relation. The strongest feature of the new approach is related to its capability to give a good description of the permeability in case of low porosities. However, with this network-inspired approach small values of the permeability are more likely to occur. Since we show that the solution of Biot’s model converges to the solution of a saddle point problem for small time steps and low permeability, we need stabilisation in the finite element approximation.

As demand for water increases across the globe, the availability of freshwater in many regions is likely to decrease due to a changing climate, an increase in human population and changes in land use and energy generation. Many of the world’s freshwater sources are being drained faster than they are being replenished. To solve this problem, new techniques are developed to improve and optimise renewable groundwater sources, which are an increasingly important water supply source globally. One of this emerging techniques is rainwater storage in the subsurface. In this paper, different methods for rainwater infiltration are presented. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to quantify the impact of variation in the soil characteristics and the infiltration parameters on the infiltration rate. Numerical results show that injection pulses may increase the amount of water that can be injected into an aquifer.

Stress and water injection induce deformations and changes in pore pressure in the soil. The interaction between the mechanical deformations and the flow of water induces a change in porosity and permeability, which results in nonlinearity. To investigate this interaction and the impact of mechanical vibrations and pressure pulses on the flow rate through the pores of a porous medium under a pressure gradient, a poroelastic model is proposed. In this paper, a Galerkin finite element method is applied for solving the quasi-static Biot’s consolidation problem for poroelasticity, considering nonlinear permeability. Space discretisation using Taylor–Hood elements is considered, and the implicit Euler scheme for time stepping is used. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to quantify the impact of variation in the parameters on the model output. Numerical results show that pressure pulses and soil vibrations in the direction of the flow increase the amount of water that can be injected into a deformable fluid-saturated porous medium.