Multiphase flow in deforming porous material

Models for thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of saturated–unsaturated porous media are reviewed. The necessary balance equations are derived using averaging theories. Constitutive equations are obtained using the Coleman–Noll procedure and thermodynamic equations for the model closure are introduced. A simplified form of the governing equations is then solved numerically and the numerical properties are discussed. An example dealing with behaviour of concrete structures during tunnel fires concludes the paper. The heat and mass transfer calculations in the tunnel needed as the input for the multiphase concrete model are also shown. The behaviour of concrete under such situations, where very high temperatures are reached, can be satisfactorily simulated only with an approach of the type presented here.