A non-linear analysis of non-isothermal wave propagation in linear-elastic fluid-saturated porous media

The non-isothermal dynamic behaviour of saturated porous media is analysed numerically employing the finite element method and taking energy convection due to large pore fluid displacements into account. A different pore fluid reference temperature is introduced in order to allow properly for heat convection: this concept is usually neglected in the literature and is discussed and analysed herein. The numerical procedure is validated in a simple problem of hot fluid injection in a steady seepage flow and by comparing the numerical results, neglecting energy convection, with those obtained with a novel solution of the linearised equations, presented herein, which is based on the transfer functions and Fourier transforms method. Finally, the effects of energy convection in wave propagation are analysed: in a pervious porous medium the flux of energy due to energy convection is much greater than the one due to heat conduction; in any case, wave propagation can be considered completely adiabatic even when energy convection is taken into account. Thus the validity of the results presented in the literature and based on the linearised theory is demonstrated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.