Coupled Processes in Subsurface Deformation, Flow, and Transport

This book covers fundamental principles and analytical and numerical approaches that may be applied in representing the coupled interaction of deformation, flow, and transport in porous or fractured geologic media. The authors present a rational and unified treatment of such coupled processes, with emphasis on the coupling and feedbacks present where solid deformation, fluid flow, and solute transport combine, and in the representation of heterogeneous media through multiporosity approaches. Analytical and numerical solutions are presented for subsurface systems subjected to varying mechanical, thermal, and chemical disturbances.

Topics also include:

• differences between coupled and uncoupled processes and their respective restraints and significances,
• the effects of heterogeneities on deformation, flow, and transport in the subsurface,
• popular and special analytical and numerical methods in the related fields, and
• fundamental theories with practical applications in multidisciplinary areas.

Whether used as a reference or teaching text, this book will be of interest to civil, mining, petroleum, environmental, chemical, process, and geological engineers, as well as geological scientists.

About the Authors
Mao Bai, Ph.D., is senior research associate at the Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma.

Derek Elsworth, Ph.D., P.E., is a professor in the Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University.