Non-isothermal consolidation of unbounded porous media using mapped infinite elements

The computer modelling of geothermal reservoirs often involves unbounded continua. The traditional approach to such modelling is by simple truncation at a finite boundary. This results in a large number of degrees-of-freedom and precludes the efficient use of microcomputers for such simulations. This paper deals with the use of mapped infinite elements for the simulation of the far-field response. By comparison with an analytical solution, it is shown that an excellent agreement can be achieved in this way using a reduced number of d. o. f. , hence allowing for the use of microcomputers in this area. Furthermore, the use of infinite elements allows realistic boundary conditions for the unbounded domain to be set.