Poroelastic Problems in Pylith

Abstract:

PyLith, a community, open-source code (http://geodynamics.org/cig/software/pylith/) for modeling quasi-static and dynamic crustal deformation with an emphasis on earthquake faulting, has recently been expanded to allow for the flexible implementation of multiphysics problems. We provide a showcase example of this versatility by building upon the existing body of deformation code to include the capability to model fully coupled continuum poromechanics. Verification of the newly incorporated physics is conducted through modeling of standard benchmarks for a porous medium saturated with a slightly compressible fluid; these consist of Terzaghi’s consolidation problem for the one-dimensional case, Mandel’s problem for the two-dimensional case, and Cryer’s problem for the three-dimensional case. These benchmark cases correspond with well-known closed form analytical solutions, and these solutions are compared against full domain numerical results generated by our updated code and incorporated into the PyLith continuous integration test suite. Once verified by these traditional benchmarks, we demonstrate the use of this added capability to investigate the interaction of stresses from subsurface fluids and tectonic faulting.