A micro-structured continuum modelling compacting fluid-saturated grounds: the effects of pore-size scale parameter

Abstract

The effect of a "pore-size" length-scale parameter l on compaction of grounds with fluid inclusions is studied. They are modelled as continua endowed with micro-structure by means of the macro-modelling procedure proposed in [2]. We show the dependence of field evolution equations on the micro-structure parameter l and compare our model with the homogenized asymptotic ones. The consideration of the pore size 1 allows us to forecast the onset of micro-displacement waves as a consequence of a ground settling and to suggest a possible description of the genesis of certain microearthquakes [5] [6].