Micromechanics Contribution to Coupled Transport and Mechanical Properties of Fractured Geomaterials

Éric Lemarchand (1) , Catherine A. Davy (2) , Luc Dormieux (1) , W. M. Chen (2) , Frédéric Skoczylas (2)

1 navier umr 8205 - Laboratoire Navier
2 LML - Laboratoire de Mécanique de Lille - FRE 3723

This article is devoted to the modelling of interdependent mechanical and hydraulic behaviours of geomaterials in presence of a single through-wall fracture by means of micromechanics arguments. Experimental results of fractured concrete samples show non-linear evolutions for both mechanical and hydraulic behaviours with respect to confinement intensity. These non-linear responses are interpreted by the progressive closure of crack-like pores defining the pore volume of the fracture interfacial domain. Disregarding tortuosity effects, we adopt a 2D representation for these cracks. The key role of the fracture initial porosity is also emphasized. It allows to discuss the shape of the distribution of the local apertures distribution function classically used, intercepted here in terms of the distribution of initial crack–aspect ratio within the fracture domain. Application on fractured concrete samples shows the capability of the theoretical model to accurately reproduce the experimental results.

Mots clés: Fractures; Micromechanics; Local cubic law; Permeability; Roughness; Couplings

Domaines: Matériaux et structures en mécanique [physics.class-ph]; Matériaux et structures en mécanique [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des solides [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des solides [physics.class-ph]

Éric Lemarchand, Catherine A. Davy, Luc Dormieux, W. M. Chen, Frédéric Skoczylas. Micromechanics Contribution to Coupled Transport and Mechanical Properties of Fractured Geomaterials. Transport in Porous Media, 2009, 79 (3), pp.335-358. ⟨10.1007/s11242-008-9326-5⟩. ⟨hal-00412574⟩