This PhD is dedicated to the development of an advanced numerical model for simulating interactions between free surface waves of arbitrary steepness and rigid bodies in high amplitude motions. Based on potential theory, it solves the coupled dynamics of waves and structure with the implicit method by Van Daalen (1993), also named the acceleration potential method by Tanizawa (1995). The precision of this two-dimensional model is tested on a wide range of applications involving the forced motion or free motion of a submerged horizontal cylinder of circular cross-section : diffraction by a fixed cylinder, radiation by a cylinder in specified high amplitude motions, wave absorption by the Bristol cylinder. In each of these applications, numerical results are compared to experimental data or analytical solutions based on the linear wave theory, with a good agreement especially for small amplitude motions of the cylinder and small wave steepnesses. The irregular wave generation by a paddle and the possibility to add an extra circular cylinder are integrated in the model and illustrated on practical applications with simple wave energy converters. The model is finally extended to three dimensions, with preliminary results for a sphere in large amplitude heaving oscillations

[pt] A partir da amostragem de blocos de travertino cisalhados contendo materiais representativos de zona de dano e/ou núcleo de falhas geológicas, corpos-de-prova cilíndricos constituídos tanto por rocha intacta como por rocha de falha, foram submetidos a ensaios triaxiais multi-estágios com medição de permeabilidade na direção axial, com confinamentos efetivos variáveis de 2, 5, 11, 19 e 29 MPa. O presente trabalho avalia a adequação do modelo Mohr-Coulomb com endurecimento em representar o comportamento tensão-deformação de materiais de zona de falha em travertino observado nos ensaios de laboratório e determina os parâmetros que melhor representam o comportamento experimental, além de analisar a variação da permeabilidade. Para isso, é utilizado o método de elementos finitos, através do software ABAQUS, para modelar os corpos-de-prova e simular o comportamento tensão-deformação de dois dos ensaios triaxiais realizados. Ao final do estudo são determinados os parâmetros de rocha de falha que melhor ajustam aos dados experimentais. Além disso, são determinados fatores multiplicadores de permeabilidade que representam as variações de permeabilidade esperadas a partir das deformações volumétricas nesses materiais. Esse conhecimento tem importante contribuição na previsibilidade do comportamento hidromecânico de falhas geológicas, cujo equilíbrio é alterado com a explotação de reservatórios de petróleo. / [en] From sheared travertine blocks, containing both damage zone and/or gouge representative materials, cylindrical plugs were obtained containing both intact rock and fault materials, and were submitted to triaxial tests with axial permeability measurements in effective confinement pressures of 2, 5, 11, 19 e 29 MPa. This work assess the suitability of Mohr-Coulomb hardening model to represent stress-strain behaviour of travertine fault zone materials observed in laboratory measurements and determines the parameters that best fit the experimental behavior. Furthermore, a permeability variation analysis is conducted. For this, finite element method is used through ABAQUS software, to model the plugs and to simulate the stress-strain behaviour of three triaxial tests. It is possible after all, to determine rock parameters that adjust to experimental results. Besides that, permeability multipliers are determined to adjust permeability changes due to volumetric deformations in these materials. This knowledge is an important contribution to forecast hidromechanical behavior of geological faults that may have stability altered by hydrocarbon exploitation in petroleum reservoirs.

Orientador: Osvaldo Luís Manzoli / Resumo: Materiais porosos constituem uma grande gama de materiais que podem ser encontrados na natureza ou em forma artificial. Rochas reservatório é um exemplo importante desse tipo de material, sendo o estudo delas a motivação principal desse trabalho. O estudo de rochas reservatório, de onde são extraídos gases e petróleo, consiste em um problema físico no qual os sistemas mecânico e hidráulico são acoplados. O acoplamento ocorre pois as deformações (no sistema mecânico) inuenciam as pressão (no sistema hidráulico), que por sua vez inuenciam as tensões (sistema mecânico). As equações governantes do sistema mecânico são mostradas e as do hidráulico deduzidas. Para a resolução do problema, o Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF) foi utilizado para ambos os sistemas físicos, logo, as equações governantes são apresentadas em sua forma fraca e, então, aproximada pelo MEF. Numericamente, o acoplamento pode ser tratado de diferentes maneiras, seja considerando um dos sistemas de maneira bem pobre tal como fórmulas empíricas simplistas, seja considerado os sistemas de maneira individual, ou então de maneira completa. Essa última maneira de considerar um acoplamento, o acoplamento total, é formulada, programada e testada nesse trabalho. Para validar a implementação, dois problemas foram analisados: Problema de Terzaghi e Problema Mandel, ambos com solução analítica conhecidas. Os resultados obtidos numericamente comparados aos analíticos indicam que o método totalmente acoplado foi bem implem... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Porous materials constitute a wide range of materials that can be found in nature and arti cially. Reservoir rock is an important example of this kind of material, which is the main motivation of this work. The study of reservoir rocks, from which gases and oil are extracted, consists of a physical problem in which mechanical and hydraulic systems are coupled. The coupling occurs because the deformations (in the mechanical system) in uence the pressure (in the hydraulic system), which in turn in uence the stresses (mechanical system). The governing equations of the mechanical system are shown and those of the hydraulic system are deduced. To solve the problem, the Finite Element Method (FEM) is used for both physical systems, so the governing equations are presented in their weak form and then approximated according to the FEM. Numerically, the coupling can be handled in di erent ways, either by considering one of the systems in a very poor way by using simplistic empirical formulas, by considering the systems individually, or in a complete manner. The latter one, the fully-coupled treatment, is formulated, programmed and tested in this work. To validate the implementation, two problems has been analyzed: Terzaghi Problem and Mandel Problem, both with known analytical solutions. The comparison between the results obtained numerically and analytically indicates that the fully coupled method has been well implemented in both 2D and 3D cases. The numerical oscillation existing i... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

L'effet de serre lié à l'émission de CO2 a conduit à des projets de stockage de ce gaz dans des formations réservoirs. Ces formations peuvent être traversées de failles et l'examen de la sûreté du stockage nécessite alors l'étude du risque de réactivation et de propagation de ces failles. Cette étude passe par des investigations approfondies portant sur des conditions de propagation des fractures sous sollicitations hydromécaniques. Cette thèse a pour objectif l'étude théorique et numérique de ces conditions ainsi que la simulation numérique de la propagation. La modélisation numérique des processus thermo-hydro-mécaniques dans les milieux poreux fracturés par la méthode des éléments finis (MEF) permet de simuler des phénomènes complexes et non linéaires. Les difficultés liées à l'intégration des équations d'échanges de fluide entre la fracture et la matrice environnante avec la MEF ont été résolues dans des travaux récents et nos simulations numériques ont pu être basées sur cette méthode. Dans un premier temps, nous avons modélisé l'écoulement transitoire dans et au voisinage d'une fracture soumise à une injection de fluide et nous avons étudié le facteur d'intensité des contraintes (FIC) à l'extrémité de la fracture dans le cadre de la théorie de la poroélasticité linéaire. Si les conditions d'injection sont maintenues constantes et la fracture n'évolue pas, l'écoulement tend vers un état stationnaire. Le FIC évolue au cours de la phase transitoire pour atteindre une valeur limite dans l'état stationnaire. La modélisation de l'écoulement transitoire est très coûteuse en temps de calcul et il est intéressant de trouver un moyen d'exploiter au mieux les résultats d'un calcul en état stationnaire. L'analyse théorique et les résultats des simulations numériques montrent en effet que le FIC calculé à l'état stationnaire peut fournir certaines bornes pour la propagation des fractures sous l'écoulement transitoire. Dans le cadre de la poroélasticité linéaire et de l'écoulement de Poiseuille dans les fractures, des expressions semi-analytiques pour le FIC à l'état d'écoulement stationnaire ont pu être dérivées. Pour des géométries simples, ces formules approximatives se révèlent efficaces pour discuter des conditions de propagation des fractures pour des cas typiques et simples de géométrie de la fracture et des conditions d'injection de fluide. Dans un deuxième temps, un Modèle de Fracture Cohésive (MFC) a été utilisé pour modéliser la propagation de fracture sur la base de l'endommagent. Ce modèle, basé sur un critère de rupture de Mohr–Coulomb modifié, permet de simuler l'endommagement de l'interface à la fois sous sollicitations en mode I et II. Une relation d'équivalence entre les paramètres de ce modèle et du modèle de Mécanique Linéaire de la Rupture (MLR) a été établie sur la base de la longueur de propagation de fracture sous des charges similaires. Cette relation permet l'extension de l'équivalence théorique entre MLR et MFC établie pour les matériaux fragiles et sur la base de critères énergétiques, à des matériaux quasi-fragiles et ductiles. On a d'ailleurs montré que le MFC permet de simuler certains phénomènes spécifiques tels qu'instabilités de propagation en mode I et II et le branchement de la fracture en mode II. Enfin, la prise en compte de la pression de fluide dans la fracture a permis d'obtenir un modèle de MFC couplé avec l'hydraulique qui a été implémenté dans un code numérique aux éléments finis en vue d'étudier la propagation des fractures sous sollicitations hydromécaniques. Des simulations numériques ont été réalisées afin d'étudier le risque de réactivation et de propagation des failles dans le contexte de stockage du CO2 en particulier dans une configuration de formation réservoir du type Bassin de Paris / Global warming effect related to CO2 emission has led to sequestration projects of this gas in reservoir formations. These formations can be crossed by faults and safety issue of storage requires the study of fault reactivation and propagation risk. This study goes through in-depth investigations of fracture propagation conditions under hydromechanical solicitations. This thesis aims at theoretical and numerical studies of these conditions and the numerical simulation of fracture propagation. Numerical modelling of thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in fractured porous media using Finite Element Method (FEM) allows the simulation of complex and nonlinear phenomena. Difficulties in integrating fluid mass exchange between fracture and surrounding matrix in the equations with FEM have been solved in recent works and our numerical simulations have been based on this progress. In a first step, we modelled transient flow subjected to a fluid injection and we studied the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) at fracture tip in the framework of linear poroelasticity theory. If injection conditions are kept constant and the fracture does not evolve, the flow tends to a steady state. The SIF develops during transient phase to reach a limit value in the steady state. Modelling of transient flow is very time consuming and it is interesting to find a method to exploit the results of a calculation in steady state. Theoretical analysis and results of numerical simulations show that the SIF calculated at steady state can provide some bounds for fracture propagation under transient flow. In the framework of linear poroelasticity and Poiseuille flow in fractures, some semi-analytical expressions of SIF at steady state could be derived. For simple geometries, these approximate formulations are efficient to discuss fracture propagation conditions for typical and simple cases of fracture geometry and fluid injection conditions. In a second step, a Cohesive Zone/Fracture Model (CFM) was used to model fracture propagation on the basis of damage. This model, based on a modified Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, simulates interface damage under both mode I and II loads. An equivalence relation between parameters of CFM and Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics model (LEFM) was established on the basis of fracture propagation length under similar loads. This relationship allows the extension of theoretical equivalence between LEFM and CFM established for brittle materials and on the basis of energy criteria, for quasi-brittle and ductile materials. It has also shown that CFM can simulate specific phenomena such as propagation instabilities for mode I and II and fracture kinking under mode II. Finally, taking into account the fluid pressure in the fracture permitted to obtain a CFM coupled with hydraulic processes which has been implemented in a numerical finite element code to study fracture propagation under hydromechanical solicitations. Numerical simulations were performed to study the risk of fault reactivation and propagation in the context of CO2 injection in Paris Basin reservoir formation

Le but de cette thèse est de mettre en place un nouveau modèle de comportement hydromécanique permettant de prendre en compte les anisotropies initiale et induite et l'impact de l'endommagement mécanique sur la perméabilité. Afin de construire ce modèle, une nouvelle approche de modélisation permettant d'étendre les lois de comportement mécaniques des matériaux isotropes aux matériaux anisotropes est développée. Cette approche, employée dans le cadre des milieux continus à variables internes, est utilisée pour construire une loi de comportement elasto-viscoplastique qui distingue les régimes de sollicitation en compression et en traction. Un tenseur de second ordre est introduit pour décrire l'anisotropie induite suite à des sollicitations de traction et une variable interne scalaire est utilisée pour traduire le durcissement/adoucissement du matériau suite à des sollicitations de compression. Sous des sollicitations complexes, ces deux mécanismes sont couplés et l'effet de fermeture/réouverture des fissures est traité. Le couplage endommagement-perméabilité est ensuite modélisé par l'introduction d'une loi phénoménologique reliant la perméabilité intrinsèque du matériau aux variables internes de la mécanique.Ce modèle a été appliqué dans le cas des ouvrages souterrains du site de Bure afin de comprendre les mécanismes d'altération des propriétés hydromécaniques autour des galeries et des alvéoles de stockage causée non seulement par les opérations de creusement mais également par les surpressions dues à la production d'hydrogène gazeux suite à la corrosion des parties métalliques des modules de déchets. / This thesis aims to introduce a new hydromechanical constitutive model taking into account both initial and induced anisotropies and the impact of the mechanical damage on the permeability. To build this model, a new modeling approach is developed allowing the extension of mechanical behavior laws from isotropic materials to transversely isotropic materials. This approach is used, within the framework of continuous media with internal variables, to propose an elasto-viscoplastic behavior law that distinguishes between compressive and tensile loading regimes. A second order tensor is introduced to describe the induced anisotropy due to tensile loadings, and a scalar internal variable is employed to account for hardening and softeningof the material due to compressive loadings. Under complex loadings, these two mechanisms are coupled, and the effect of cracks closing/reopening is taken into consideration. The damage-permeability coupling is modeled by the introduction of a phenomenological law linking the material intrinsic permeability to the mechanical internal variables.The developed model is applied to the case of the underground drifts of Bure site in order to better understand the mechanisms of hydromechanical properties alteration, around drifts and storing cells. Not only the impact of the excavation operations is considered but also the consequences of the overpressures caused by the produced hydrogen due to the corrosion of the metallic parts of nuclear waste containers.

Bentonite is regarded as an ideal geomaterial for the engineering barrier system of a deep geological repository (DGR) where nuclear wastes are disposed, as it has several desirable properties for sealing the nuclear wastes, including low permeability, low diffusion coefficient, high adsorption capacity and proper swelling ability. Nevertheless, gas migration in saturated bentonite may undermine the sealing ability of the geomaterial. Previous experimental studies showed that the gas migration process is accompanied by complex hydromechanical (HM) behaviors, such as gas breakthrough phenomenon, development of preferential pathways, build-up of water pressure and total stress, nearly saturated state after gas injection test, localized consolidation, water exchange between clay matrix and developed fractures and self-sealing process. These experimentally observed behaviors should be properly modelled for conducting a reliable performance assessment for the geomaterial over the lifespan of DGR. In this thesis, two different coupled HM frameworks, i.e., one based on double porosity (DP) concept, referred to as coupled HM-DP framework, and the other on phase field (PF) method, referred to as coupled HM-PF framework, are proposed to simulate the gas migration process in saturated bentonite. For the coupled HM-DP framework, the saturated bentonite is assumed as a superposition of a MAcro-Continuum (MAC) and a MIcro-Continuum (MIC). Two-phase flow is only allowed in the MAC, whereas the MIC is impermeable to both water and gas. Nevertheless, the water can transfer between the MIC and the MAC under the water pressure gap. The first coupled HM model in this framework is based on a double effective stress concept. Mechanical behaviors of the MAC and the MIC are respectively governed by Bishop-type effective stress and Terzaghi’s effective stress. The model can well simulate the evolutions of both gas pressure and gas outflow rate, the water exchange between clay matrix and developed pathways, the high degree of saturation and the consolidation of clay matrix. To account for the development of preferential pathways, the damaging effect has been introduced in the framework. In this improved model, Bishop-type effective stress for the MAC is replaced by the independent stress state variables, i.e., net normal stress and suction, since using the net normal stress is beneficial to simulating tensile failure under high gas pressure. Numerical results showed that the damage-enhanced model can well describe the effect of the development of preferential pathways on the build-up of water pressure and total stress. In addition, the proposed hysteretic models for intrinsic and relative permeabilities make the coupled HM framework more flexible to reproduce the experimental results. To explicitly simulate the development of preferential pathways, a coupled HM-PF framework is developed by using Coussy’s thermodynamic theory and the microforce balance law. The coupled HM-PF framework is implemented in the standard Finite Element Method (FEM). To avoid the pore pressure oscillation and enhance the computational efficiency, a stabilized mixed finite element, in which linear shape functions are selected for interpolating all primary variables, is adopted to discretize the whole domain. In the developed framework, swelling pressure (initial stress) is accounted for by introducing a modified strain tensor that is the sum of the strain tensor due to deformation and the strain tensor calculated from the initial stress. The numerical results showed that the developed coupled HM-PF framework can capture some important behaviors, such as the discrete pathways, localized gas flow, built-up of water pressure and total stress under constant volume condition and nearly saturated state in clay matrix. A spatially autocorrelated random field is introduced into the framework to describe the heterogeneous distribution of HM properties in bentonite. The heterogeneity is beneficial to simulating the fracture branching and the complex fracture trajectory. Numerical results showed that some factors, such as Gaussian random field, coefficient of variation, boundary condition and injection rate, have significant influences on the fracture trajectory. At the end of the thesis, the obtained numerical results are synthesized and analyzed. Based on the analysis, the pros and cons of the developed numerical models are discussed. Corresponding to the limitations, some recommendations are proposed for future studies.

Cette thèse présente le développement d'un modèle numérique avancé, capable de simuler les interactions entre des vagues de surface de cambrure quelconque et des corps rigides immergés ayant des mouvements de grande amplitude. Fondé sur la théorie potentielle, il propose une résolution couplée de la dynamique vagues/structure par la méthode implicite de Van Daalen (1993), encore appelée méthode du potentiel d'accélération par Tanizawa (1995). La précision du modèle à deux dimensions est testée sur un ensemble d'applications impliquant le mouvement forcé ou libre d'un cylindre horizontal immergé, de section circulaire : diffraction par un cylindre fixe, radiation par un cylindre en mouvement forcé de grande amplitude, absorption des vagues par le cylindre de Bristol. Pour chaque application, les résultats numériques sont comparés à des résultats expérimentaux ou analytiques issus de la théorie linéaire, avec un bon accord en particulier pour les petites amplitudes de mouvement du cylindre et pour les vagues de faibles cambrures. La génération de vagues irrégulières et la prise en compte d'un second corps cylindrique immergé sont ensuite intégrées au modèle, et illustrées sur des applications pratiques avec des systèmes récupérateurs d'énergie des vagues simples. Enfin, le modèle est étendu en trois dimensions avec des premières applications au cas d'une sphère décrivant des mouvements de grande amplitude / This PhD is dedicated to the development of an advanced numerical model for simulating interactions between free surface waves of arbitrary steepness and rigid bodies in high amplitude motions. Based on potential theory, it solves the coupled dynamics of waves and structure with the implicit method by Van Daalen (1993), also named the acceleration potential method by Tanizawa (1995). The precision of this two-dimensional model is tested on a wide range of applications involving the forced motion or free motion of a submerged horizontal cylinder of circular cross-section : diffraction by a fixed cylinder, radiation by a cylinder in specified high amplitude motions, wave absorption by the Bristol cylinder. In each of these applications, numerical results are compared to experimental data or analytical solutions based on the linear wave theory, with a good agreement especially for small amplitude motions of the cylinder and small wave steepnesses. The irregular wave generation by a paddle and the possibility to add an extra circular cylinder are integrated in the model and illustrated on practical applications with simple wave energy converters. The model is finally extended to three dimensions, with preliminary results for a sphere in large amplitude heaving oscillations

L'importance croissante de l'évaluation de la performance des structures soumis au chargement sismique souligne la nécessité d'estimer le risque de liquéfaction. Dans ce scénario extrême de la liquéfaction du sol, des conséquences dévastatrices sont observées, par exemple des tassements excessifs et des instabilités de pentes. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, la réponse dynamique et l'interaction d'un système ouvrage en terre-fondation sont étudiées, afin de déterminer quantitativement le mécanisme de ruine dû à la liquéfaction du sol de la fondation. Par ailleurs, les chargements sismiques peuvent induire dans les ouvrages en terre un mode de rupture générant des bandes de cisaillement. Une étude de sensibilité aux maillages a donc été engagée pour quantifier la dépendance des résultats de l'analyse dynamique. Par conséquent, l'utilisation d'une méthode de régularisation est évaluée au cours des analyses dynamiques. Le logiciel open-source Code_Aster, basé sur la méthode des Eléments Finis et développé par EDF R&D, est utilisé pour les simulations numériques, tandis que le comportement du sol est représenté par le modèle de comportement de l'ECP, développé à CentraleSupélec. En premier lieu, un modèle simplifié de propagation 1D des ondes SH dans une colonne de sol avec comportement hydromécanique couplé non linéaire a été simulé. L'effet des caractéristiques du signal sismique et de la perméabilité du sol sur la liquéfaction est évalué. Le signal sismique d'entrée est un élément important pour l'apparition de la liquéfaction, puisque la durée du choc principal peut conduire à de fortes non linéarités et à un état de liquéfaction étendu. En outre, quand une variation de perméabilité en fonction de l'état de liquéfaction est considérée, des changements significatifs sont observés pendant la phase de dissipation de la surpression interstitielle de l'eau et au comportement du matériau. En revanche, ces changements ne suivent pas une tendance unique. Puis, l'effet d'une méthode de régularisation avec cinématique enrichie, appelée premier gradient de dilatation, sur la propagation des ondes SH est étudié au travers d'une solution analytique. Des problèmes à la réponse dynamique du sol sont observés et discutés quand cette méthode de régularisation est appliquée. Ensuite, un modèle 2D d'un déblai est simulé et sa réponse dynamique est évaluée en conditions sèches, complètement drainées et hydromécanique couplées. Deux critères sont utilisés pour définir le début de la rupture de la structure. Le travail du second ordre est utilisé pour décrire l'instabilité locale à des instants spécifiques du mouvement sismique, tandis que l'estimation d'un facteur de sécurité locale est proposée prenant en compte la résistance résiduelle du sol. En ce qui concerne le mode de ruine, l'effet de la surpression interstitielle de l'eau est de grande importance, puisqu'un déblai stable en conditions sèches et complètement drainées, devient instable lors de l'analyse couplée à cause de la liquéfaction de la fondation. Enfin, un système digue-fondation est simulé et l'influence de la perméabilité du sol, la profondeur de la couche liquéfiable, ainsi que, les caractéristiques du séisme sur la ruine induite par la liquéfaction du sol est évaluée. Pour ce modèle de digue, le niveau de dommages est fortement lié à la fois à l'apparition de la liquéfaction dans la fondation et la dissipation de la surpression d'eau. Une surface d'effondrement circulaire est générée à l'intérieur de la couche du sol liquéfié et se propage vers la crête dans les deux côtés de la digue. Pourtant, lorsque la couche liquéfiée est située en profondeur, la digue n'est pas affectée par la liquéfaction de la fondation pour ce cas particulier de chargement. Ce travail de recherche se concentre sur une étude de cas de référence pour l'évaluation sismique des ouvrages en terre soumis à un séisme et fournit des méthodes et outils de calculs numériques performants accessibles aux ingénieurs. / The increasing importance of performance-based earthquake engineering analysis points out the necessity to assess quantitatively the risk of liquefaction. In this extreme scenario of soil liquefaction, devastating consequences are observed, e.g. excessive settlements, lateral spreading and slope instability. The present PhD thesis discusses the global dynamic response and interaction of an earth structure-foundation system, so as to determine quantitatively the collapse mechanism due to foundation’s soil liquefaction. As shear band generation is a potential earthquake-induced failure mode in such structures, the FE mesh dependency of results of dynamic analyses is thoroughly investigated and an existing regularization method is evaluated. The open-source FE software developed by EDF R&D, called Code_Aster is used for the numerical simulations, while soil behavior is represented by the ECP constitutive model, developed at CentraleSupélec. Starting from a simplified model of 1D SH wave propagation in a soil column with coupled hydromechanical nonlinear behavior, the effect of seismic hazard and soil’s permeability on liquefaction is assessed. Input ground motion is a key component for soil liquefaction apparition, as long duration of mainshock can lead to important nonlinearity and extended soil liquefaction. Moreover, when a variation of permeability as function of liquefaction state is considered, changes in the dissipation phase of excess pore water pressure and material behavior are observed, which do not follow a single trend. The effect of a regularization method with enhanced kinematics approach, called first gradient of dilation model, on 1D SH wave propagation is studied through an analytical solution. Deficiencies of the use of this regularization method are observed and discussed, e.g. spurious waves apparition in the soil’s seismic response. Next, a 2D embankment-type model is simulated and its dynamic response is evaluated in dry, fully drained and coupled hydromechanical conditions. Two criteria are used to define the onset of the structure’s collapse. The second order work is used to describe the local instability at specific instants of the ground motion, while the estimation of a local safety factor is proposed by calculating soil’s residual strength. Concerning the failure mode, the effect of excess pore water pressure is of great importance, as an otherwise stable structure-foundation system in dry and fully drained conditions becomes unstable during coupled analysis. Finally, a levee- foundation system is simulated and the influence of soil’s permeability, depth of the liquefiable layer, as well as, characteristics of input ground motion on the liquefaction-induced failure is evaluated. For the current levee model, its induced damage level (i.e. settlements and deformations) is strongly related to both liquefaction apparition and dissipation of excess pore water pressure on the foundation. A circular collapse surface is generated inside the liquefied region and extends towards the crest in both sides of the levee. Even so, when the liquefied layer is situated in depth, no effect on the levee response is found. This research work can be considered as a reference case study for seismic assessment of embankment-type structures subjected to earthquake and provides a high-performance computational framework accessible to engineers.

Orientador: Osvaldo Luís Manzoli / Abstract: This work presents a numerical method based on Discrete Fracture Model (DFM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM), where the fractures are approximated by a reduced model. The flow along and across the fracture is described by a simplified set of equations considering both conductive fractures and barriers. The coupled hydromechanical model is composed of a linear poroelastic Biot medium and a nonlinear model based on damage mechanics for the fractures, which captures the nonlinear normal deformation and shear dilation according to the Barton-Bandis model. Both flow and geomechanical models are approximated using the finite element model. Fractures are explicitly represented by three-node standard finite elements with high aspect ratio (i.e. ratio between the largest and the smallest element dimensions) and appropriate constitutive laws. These interface high aspect ratio elements represent a regularization method which continuously approximate the discontinuous pressure and displacement fields on a narrow material band around the fracture. The complete mathematical formulation is presented together with the algorithm suggested for its numerical implementation. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical examples, as well as the effects of fractures in the hydraulic properties of porous rocks and its dependency of the stress state. / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta um método numérico baseado no Modelo de Fratura Discreta (MFD) e no Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), onde as fraturas são aproximadas por um modelo reduzido. O fluxo ao longo e através da fratura é descrito por um conjunto simplificado de equações, considerando tanto fraturas condutoras quanto barreiras. O modelo hidromecânico acoplado é composto por um meio poroelástico linear e um modelo não linear para fraturas, baseado na mecânica do dano e que captura a deformação normal não linear e a dilatância ao cisalhamento de acordo com o modelo de Barton-Bandis. Os modelos de fluxo e geomecânico são aproximados usando o método dos elementos finitos. As fraturas são explicitamente representadas por elementos finitos triangulares de três nós com elevada razão de aspecto (isto é, a razão entre a maior e a menor dimensão do elemento) e leis constitutivas apropriadas. Esses elementos de elevada razão de aspecto representam um método de regularização que aproxima de forma contínua os campos de pressão e deslocamento descontínuos em uma estreita faixa material ao redor da fratura. A formulação matemática completa é apresentada juntamente com o algoritmo sugerido para sua implementação numérica. A eficiência do método proposto é demonstrada através de exemplos numéricos, bem como os efeitos de fraturas nas propriedades hidráulicas de rochas porosas e sua dependência do estado de tensão. / Mestre

Integrated theoretical and experimental analysis is carried out in this work to investigate the fundamental failure mechanisms and flow patterns involved in the process of fluid injection into dense granular media. The experimental work is conducted with aqueous glycerin solutions, utilizing a novel setup based on a Hele-Shaw cell filled with dense dry sand. The two dimensional nature of the setup allows direct visualization and imaging analysis of the real-time fluid and grain kinematics. The experimental results reveal that the fluid flow patterns show a transition from simple radial flow to a ramified morphology while the granular media behaviors change from that of rigid porous media to localized failure that lead to development of fluid channels. Based on the failure/flow patterns, four distinct failure/flow regimes can be identified, namely, (i) a simple radial flow regime, (ii) an infiltration-dominated regime, (iii) a grain displacement-dominated regime, and (iv) a viscous fingering-dominated regime. These distinct failure/flow regimes emerge as a result of competition among various energy dissipation mechanisms, namely, viscous dissipation through infiltration, dissipation due to grain displacements, and viscous dissipation through flow in thin channels and can be classified based on the characteristic times associated with fluid injection, hydromechanical coupling and viscoelastoplasticity. The injection process is also analyzed numerically using the discrete element method (DEM) coupled with two fluid flow scheme, a fixed coarse grid scheme based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and a pore network modeling scheme. The numerical results from the two complementary methods reproduce phenomena consistent with the experimental observations and justify the concept of associating the displacement regimes with the partition among energy dissipation mechanisms. The research in this work, though fundamental in nature, will have direct impacts on many engineering problems in civil, environmental and petroleum engineering such as ground improvement, environmental remediation and reservoir stimulation.