Finite element simulations of chemo-mechanical coupling in elastic–plastic homoionic expansive clays Original Research Article

Chemically active saturated clays are considered in a two-phase framework. The solid phase contains clay particles, absorbed water and a single salt. The fluid phase, or pore water, contains free water and salt. Water, and possibly salt, can transfer between the two phases. In addition, part of both species diffuse through the porous medium. A global understanding of all phenomena, mass transfer, diffusion/advection and deformation is provided. The coupled constitutive equations associated to these three phenomena are developed. Emphasis is laid on the chemo-mechanical constitutive equations in an elastic–plastic setting. A finite element formulation embodying all the above phenomena is proposed and simulations of oedometer tests are presented and commented.