Parallel inexact constraint preconditioning for ill-conditioned consolidation problems

Constraint preconditioners have proved very efficient for the solution of ill-conditioned finite element (FE) coupled consolidation problems in a sequential computing environment. Their implementation on parallel computers, however, is not straightforward because of their inherent sequentiality. The present paper describes a novel parallel inexact constraint preconditioner (ParICP) for the efficient solution of linear algebraic systems arising from the FE discretization of the coupled poro-elasticity equations. The ParICP implementation is based on the use of the block factorized sparse approximate inverse incomplete Cholesky preconditioner, which is a very recent and effective development for the parallel preconditioning of symmetric positive definite matrices. The ParICP performance is experimented with in real 3D coupled consolidation problems, proving a scalable and efficient implementation of the constraint preconditioning for high-performance computing. ParICP appears to be a very robust algorithm for solving ill-conditioned large-size coupled models in a parallel computing environment.     

Direct,partitioned and projected solution to finite element consolidation models

Direct, partitioned, and projected (conjugate gradient‐like) solution approaches are compared on unsymmetric indefinite systems arising from the finite element integration of coupled consolidation equations. The direct method is used in its most recent and computationally efficient implementations of the Harwell Software Library. The partitioned approach designed for coupled problems is especially attractive as it addresses two separate positive definite problems of a smaller size that can be solved by symmetric conjugate gradients. However, it may stagnate and when converging it does not prove competitive with a global projection method such as Bi‐CGSTAB, which may take full advantage of its flexibility in working on scaled and reordered equations, and thus may greatly improve its computational performance in terms of both robustness and convergence rate. The Bi‐CGSTAB superiority to the other approaches is discussed and demonstrated with a few representative examples in two‐dimensional (2‐D) and three‐dimensional (3‐D) coupled consolidation problems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A supercoarsening multigrid method for poroelasticity in 3D coupled flow and geomechanics modeling

The Galerkin finite-element discretization of the force balance equation typically leads to large linear systems for geomechanical problems with realistic dimensions. In iteratively coupled flow and geomechanics modeling, a large linear system is solved at every timestep often multiple times during coupling iterations. The iterative solution of the linear system stemming from the poroelasticity equations constitutes the most time-consuming and memory-intensive component of coupled modeling. Block Jacobi, LSOR, and Incomplete LU factorization are popular preconditioning techniques used for accelerating the iterative solution of the poroelasticity linear systems. However, the need for more effective, efficient, and robust iterative solution techniques still remains especially for large coupled modeling problems requiring the solution of the poroelasticity system for a large number of timesteps. We developed a supercoarsening multigrid method (SCMG) which can be multiplicatively combined with commonly used preconditioning techniques. SCMG has been tested on a variety of coupled flow and geomechanics problems involving single-phase depletion and multiphase displacement of in-situ hydrocarbons, CO₂ injection, and extreme material property contrasts. Our analysis indicates that the SCMG consistently improves the convergence properties of the linear systems arising from the poroelasticity equations, and thus, accelerates the coupled simulations for all cases subject to investigation. The joint utilization of the two-level SCMG with the ILU1 preconditioner emerges as the most optimal preconditioning/iterative solution strategy in a great majority of the problems evaluated in this work. The BiCGSTAB iterative solver converges more rapidly compared to PCG in a number of test cases, in which various SCMG-accelerated preconditioning strategies are applied to both iterators.     

Numerical Laplace-Fourier transform inversion technique for layered-soil consolidation problems: I. Fundamental solutions and validation

A numericl method for solving consolidation problems of layered soils is developed. Starting from the governing differential equations for the coupled poro-elastic medium, the governing partial differential equations are reduced to ordinary differential equations by means of the appropriate displacement functions and Laplace-Fourier transformation. Once the fundamental solution in the transformed domain has been found, the solution in the physical domain is obtained by numerically inverting the transformations. A series of soil consolidation problems have been solved and validated against existing solutions in order to compare the feasibility and the accuracy of the present technique.     

Finite layer analysis of consolidation. I

A method for the analysis of the consolidation of a horizontally layered soil under plane conditions is developed. The method depends upon the transformation of the governing equations by a Fourier trasform. This transformation has the effect of reducing the partial differential equations of consolidation to ordinary differential equations. The ordinary differential equations are then solved using a finite layer or finite difference approach. Once the solution in the transformed plane has been found, the actual solution is synthesized by Fourier inversion. The method leads to a considerable reduction in the amount of core storage necessary for solution and enables the solution of quite significant problems to be obtained on a mini-computer.     

动力固结流—固耦合模型的求解方法

以三维多孔介质中基本方程为基础，提出了动力固结问题的力学模型，给出了相应的变分原理及其有限元格式，用轴对称问题的有限单元法模拟了单点单次夯击过程，给出了详细的求解方法及算例，并将计算结果与现场实测资料作了比较。     

基于同伦分析法的非饱和土层固结问题的级数解

由于非饱和土的渗透系数是基质吸力的函数,使得控制方程带有强非线性的特征,进而使得控制方程的解析求解变得十分困难。同伦分析法对级数基函数和辅助线性算子的选择具有更大的自由性、灵活性,且收敛性的控制和调节更加容易实现,求解强非线性微分方程时在选择线性算子以及辅助参数上具有明显的优势。因此,针对非饱和土固结方程的非线性特征,对于处于地表浅层的非饱和土层,假设孔隙气压力为大气压力,在Richard经验公式与非饱和土一维固结理论的基础上,推导了非饱和一维固结无量纲控制方程;应用同伦分析法,通过选取适当的初始猜测解与辅助参数,将该非线性方程转换为线性的微分方程组并求解得到固结问题的级数解。此外,以压实高岭土为研究对象,在收集相关试验参数基础之上,将由同伦分析法求得的固结问题的近似解析解与有限差分法数值结果相对比,分析结果验证了解析解的正确性。     

广义节点无网格法在土力学固结分析中的应用

借鉴流形方法思想,引入广义节点的概念,对传统的无网格法进行了改进,建立了可具有任意高阶多项式插值函数的广义节点无网格方法.与传统无网格方法相比,广义节点无网格方法更具有一般性,当选取0阶广义节点位移插值函数时便可得到传统的无网格法.结合土工固结问题,通过推导建立了Blot固结方程的数值计算列式,对静态固结问题进行数值计算,通过对比分析验证了所建议方法的可行性.     

Numerical solution for consolidation and desiccation of soft soils

The consolidation and desiccation behaviour of soft soils can be described by two time‐dependent non‐linear partial differential equations using the finite strain theory. Analytical solutions do not exist for these governing equations. In this paper, we develop efficient numerical methods and software for finding the numerical solutions. We introduce a semi‐implicit time integration scheme, and show numerically that our method converges. In addition, the numerical solution matches well with the experimental result. A boundary refinement method is also developed to improve the convergence and stability for the case of Neumann type boundary conditions. Interface governing equations are derived to maintain the continuity of consolidation and desiccation processes. This is useful because the soil column can undergo desiccation on top and consolidation on the bottom simultaneously. The numerical algorithms has been implemented into a computer program and the results have been verified with centrifuge test results conducted in our laboratory. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

饱和软土大应变自重固结非线性分析

饱和软土的自重固结涉及许多复杂的非线性问题,而现有分析方法一般基于线性假设,将固结控制方程简化,在沉降变形较大的情况下并不合理。基于Gibson大变形固结方程,推导在单面排水和双面排水条件下的边界条件,综合考虑饱和软土的自重特性与非线性压缩、渗透关系,采用稳定性较好的Crank-Nicolson型差分格式离散并求解非线性控制方程,并从孔隙比、沉降、孔隙水流速3个方面将数值解与CS2固结数值模型进行对比验证。结合工程实例,研究土层不同初始厚度和初始孔隙比对自重固结的影响。结果表明：初始厚度与初始孔隙比较大土层最终沉降也较大。与传统方法相比,该方法所得出的数值解精度较高,实现了高度非线性固结方程的快速求解,其成果更能广泛运用于实际工程的分析之中。     

Operator splitting methods for degenerate convection–diffusion equations II: numerical examples with emphasis on reservoir simulation and sedimentation

We present an accurate numerical method for a large class of scalar, strongly degenerate convection–diffusion equations. Important subclasses are hyperbolic conservation laws, porous medium type equations, two-phase reservoir flow equations, and strongly degenerate equations coming from the recent theory of sedimentation–consolidation processes. The method is based on splitting the convective and the diffusive terms. The nonlinear, convective part is solved using front tracking and dimensional splitting, while the nonlinear diffusion part is solved by an implicit–explicit finite difference scheme. In addition, one version of the implemented operator splitting method has a mechanism built in for detecting and correcting unphysical entropy loss, which may occur when the time step is large. This mechanism helps us gain a large time step ability for practical computations. A detailed convergence analysis of the operator splitting method was given in Part I. Here we present numerical experiments with the method for examples modelling secondary oil recovery and sedimentation–consolidation processes. We demonstrate that the splitting method resolves sharp gradients accurately, may use large time steps, has first order convergence, exhibits small grid orientation effects, has small mass balance errors, and is rather efficient.     

Scaling improves stability of preconditioned CG‐like solvers for FE consolidation equations

Preconditioned projection (or conjugate gradient like) methods are increasingly used for the accurate and efficient solution to finite element (FE) coupled consolidation equations. Theory indicates that preliminary row/column scaling does not affect the eigenspectrum of the iteration matrix controlling convergence as long as the preconditioner relies on the incomplete factorization of the FE coefficient matrix. However, computational experience with mid‐large size problems shows that the above inexpensive operation can significantly accelerate the solver convergence, and to a minor extent also improve the final accuracy, as a result of a better solver stability to the accumulation and propagation of floating point round‐off errors. This is demonstrated with the aid of the least square logarithm (LSL) scaling algorithm on FE consolidation problems of increasing size up to more than 100 000. It is shown that a major source of numerical instability rests with the sub‐matrix which couples the structural to the fluid part of the underlying mathematical model. It is concluded that for mid‐large size, possibly difficult, FE consolidation problems left/right LSL scaling is to be always recommended when the incomplete factorization is used as a preconditioning technique. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The behavior of a multilayered porous thermo-elastic medium with anisotropic thermal diffusivity and permeability

With the aid of integral transform techniques, this paper presents an extended precise integration solution for thermal consolidation problems of a multilayered porous thermo-elastic medium with anisotropic thermal diffusivity and permeability due to a heat source. From the fundamental governing equations, ordinary differential equations are derived by employing Laplace–Hankel transforms. By applying the extended precise integration method, equations in the transformed domain can be solved, and the actual solutions are further obtained by adopting a numerical inverse transformation. The accuracy and feasibility of the proposed theory is demonstrated by contrastive analysis with existing studies. Finally, several examples are carried out to investigate the influence of heat source’s type, axial distance, burial depth of heat source, ratio of thermo-permeability, permeability anisotropy, thermal diffusivity anisotropy and stratification on the thermal consolidation process.     

Numerical performance of projection methods in finite element consolidation models

Projection, or conjugate gradient like, methods are becoming increasingly popular for the efficient solution of large sparse sets of unsymmetric indefinite equations arising from the numerical integration of (initial) boundary value problems. One such problem is soil consolidation coupling a flow and a structural model, typically solved by finite elements (FE) in space and a marching scheme in time (e.g. the Crank–Nicolson scheme). The attraction of a projection method stems from a number of factors, including the ease of implementation, the requirement of limited core memory and the low computational cost if a cheap and effective matrix preconditioner is available. In the present paper, biconjugate gradient stabilized (Bi‐ CGSTAB) is used to solve FE consolidation equations in 2‐D and 3‐D settings with variable time integration steps. Three different nodal orderings are selected along with the preconditioner ILUT based on incomplete triangular factorization and variable fill‐in. The overall cost of the solver is made up of the preconditioning cost plus the cost to converge which is in turn related to the number of iterations and the elementary operations required by each iteration. The results show that nodal ordering affects the perfor mance of Bi‐CGSTAB. For normally conditioned consolidation problems Bi‐CGSTAB with the best ILUT preconditioner may converge in a number of iterations up to two order of magnitude smaller than the size of the FE model and proves an accurate, cost‐effective and robust alternative to direct methods. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Consolidation by vertical drains under time‐dependent loading

A solution for the consolidation by vertical drains under time‐dependent loading is presented in this paper. Considering the well resistance and the smear action, the simultaneous basic partial differential equations of the consolidation by vertical drains are obtained for the arbitrary loading method. However, the impulse function method cannot be directly applied to obtain the solution. The partial differential equations and the solution conditions that satisfy the impulse function method are obtained after some mathematical processing. The solution for the consolidation by vertical drains under time‐dependent loading is obtained by virtue of the impulse function method and the solution under instantaneous loading. The solutions under single ramp loading and multi‐ramp loading are obtained and the feasibility of Carrillo's method under time‐dependent loading is discussed. Further, the characteristics of the consolidation by vertical drains under instantaneous loading and time‐dependent loading are discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conceptual data model and method of settlement calculation for deformation and water release from saturated soft soil

Research on the seepage deformation of saturated soft soil has resulted in many achievements based, mainly, on existing seepage-deformation control equations. In reality, however, these control equations and related parameters suffer from many problems. The conductivity coefficient in the seepage control equation and the consolidation coefficient in the consolidation equation clearly resemble each other in form. However, in existing regulations and practice, soil deformation is rarely calculated by substituting the conductivity coefficient obtained from field hydrogeological experiments for the consolidation coefficient. Similarly, seepage is seldom calculated by substituting the conductivity coefficient with the consolidation coefficient obtained from consolidation experiments. This can be attributed to the fact that the two coefficients have some obvious differences. Moreover, the settlement deformation of soil calculated using the existing seepage and consolidation models does not agree very well with the measured deformation. Also, the values calculated using different models usually deviate markedly. Research indicates that these problems derive from the fact that the seepage and consolidation equations are based on different concepts of elementary volume. This study proposes using two separate elementary volume concepts: deformation elementary volume and control elementary volume. The concepts are adopted for saturated soft soil and the results used to analyze the relationships and differences between the two concepts. Moreover, we developed a conceptual data model (CDM) for the water released from and the deformation of the saturated soil. The model discloses the differences between the consolidation and conductivity coefficients both in their physical significances and magnitudes. The inter-relationship between the two coefficients is also revealed. An analytical solution for the deformation and water released from saturated soft soil is deduced based on the CDM model and the relationship between the hydrogeological and consolidation deformation parameters is established. A physical test model for saturated soft soil under certain conditions is also designed to verify the analytical solution using a method of curve fitting. Seepage and deformation tests and case studies show that the parameters calculated using the consolidation model are in agreement with those obtained from the CDM seepage model based on the measured data for flux and settlement vs. time. Furthermore, the relationship between conductivity and consolidation coefficients is verified. The method suggested in this paper is generally applicable to problems involving the consolidation coefficient, volume compressibility, conductivity coefficient, hydraulic conductivity, and specific storage of saturated soft soil, etc. Thus, its potential applications are numerous.     

砂墙地基二维固结自由应变解

将含竖向排水体地基的三维固结变形问题等效为平面应变问题进行数值分析时,砂墙地基二维固结解析解答是合理确定其等效固结计算参数的重要依据。为辨析现有砂墙地基等应变固结近似解答的适用性,针对微单元土体严格的二维固结微分方程,考虑对地基固结有重要影响的井阻作用,以及涵盖完全透水和不完全透水的更一般边界面排水条件,推求得到了其自由应变解答。并与现有解答进行对比分析,同时,分析了泊松比效应以及水平和竖向排水对地基固结的影响。结果表明,现有砂墙地基的等应变固结解答虽然近似,但已有足够精确;砂墙地基以水平向固结为主,竖向固结几乎可以忽略不计;地基固结速率随着泊松比的增大而增大,在将竖向排水体等效为砂墙时,应考虑其作用影响。     

结构性土一维非线性大应变固结半解析解

以结构性较强的天然饱和软黏土为研究对象,考虑了沉积作用对其自重应力的影响,以及压缩性和渗透性的非线性变化,推导了任意加载条件下结构性土一维大应变固结控制方程,并采用半解析的方法对方程进行求解计算。再将其退化为无结构性的饱和软黏土固结解,与已有的大应变固结解进行了对比,验证了该解的正确性。最后将该半解析解计算结果与小应变固结理论解、不考虑结构性的固结理论解计算结果进行对比分析。结果表明：大应变固结理论的沉降计算值大于小应变固结理论的计算值,且二者的差值随着荷载的增加而增加;当考虑土体的结构性时,地表沉降计算值小于不考虑土体结构性的沉降计算值。     

FEM validation of a double porosity elastic model for consolidation of structurally complex clayey soils

Laboratory consolidation of structured clayey soils is analysed in this paper. The research is carried out by two different methods. The first one treats the soil as an isotropic homogeneous equivalent Double Porosity (DP) medium. The second method rests on the extensive application of the Finite Element Method (FEM) to combinations of different soils, composing 2D or fully 3D ordered structured media that schematically discretize the complex material. Two reference problems, representing typical situations of 1D laboratory consolidation of structured soils, are considered. For each problem, solution is obtained through integration of the equations governing the consolidation of the DP medium as well as via FEM applied to the ordered schemes composed of different materials. The presence of conventional experimental devices to ensure the drainage of the sample is taken into account through appropriate boundary conditions. Comparison of FEM results with theoretical results clearly points out the ability of the DP model to represent consolidation processes of structurally complex soils. Limits of applicability of the DP model may arise when the rate of fluid exchange between the two porous systems is represented through oversimplified relations. Results of computations, obtained having assigned reasonable values to the meso‐structural and to the experimental apparatus parameters, point out that a partially efficient drainage apparatus strongly influences the distribution along the sample and the time evolution of the interstitial water pressure acting in both systems of pores. Data of consolidation tests in a Rowe's cell on samples of artificially fissured clays reported in the literature are compared with the analytical and numerical results showing a significant agreement. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biot consolidation analysis with automatic time stepping and error control Part 1: theory and implementation

A new finite element algorithm for solving elastic and elastoplastic coupled consolidation problems is described. The procedure treats the governing consolidation relations as a system of first-order differential equations and is based on the backward Euler and Thomas and Gladwell schemes with automatic subincrementation of a prescribed series of time increments. The prescribed time increments, which are called coarse time steps, serve to start the procedure and are chosen by the user. The automatic consolidation algorithm attempts to select the time subincrements such that, for a given mesh, the time-stepping (or temporal discretisation) error in the displacements lies close to a specified tolerance. Unlike existing solution techniques, the new algorithm computes not only the displacements and pore pressures, but also their derivatives with respect to time. These extra variables permit a family of unconditionally stable integration algorithms to be constructed which automatically provide an estimate of the local truncation error for each time step. This error estimate is inexpensive to compute and may be used to develop a simple and efficient automatic time stepping mechanism. For the elastic case, the displacements and pore pressures at the end of each subincrement may be solved directly without the need for iteration. For elastoplastic behaviour, however, the governing relationships are non-linear and a system of non-linear equations must be solved to compute the updates. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.