NONLINEAR STRESS-ANALYSIS OF MUSKEG VIA FINITE-ELEMENT

The purpose of this paper is to provide a rational analytical means for predicting the performance of a muskeg deposit under loading. The analytical model employs the finite-element technique, which is extended to take into consideration the unusual constitutive behavior of the fibrous organic materials as well as the tension cut developing in these materials. The solution obtained using this model provides detailed stress and deformation fields within the loaded muskeg deposit. The applicability of the proposed analytical model is verified by conducting an appropriate experimental program. The results obtained from the model are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.