Thermomechanical effects on adsorbed water in clays around a heat source

Numerical results of the simulations of the saturated clay response to a line heat source with a constant power output are presented and compared to the analytical solutions. Mixture theory of two interacting thermoelastic constituents is employed for the modelling. In this theory, mass transfer between the adsorbed water and bulk water is included to simulate the degeneration of adsorbed water into bulk water occurring at elevated temperatures. A finite difference method with non‐uniform mesh is adopted to determine both the near‐ and far‐field behaviour. The degeneration of adsorbed water into bulk water is more pronounced close to the heat source. This may produce a lower excess pore water pressure, a higher permeability increase, and accelerate the water flow in the vicinity of the heat source. Copyright © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd