Multiphase analysis of strain localization with regularized models

In this paper rate-dependent plasticity is employed to regularize, from the scope of mesh independency, the numerical solution in strain localization process of multiphase geomaterials. Towards this goal, an already existing model for multiphase porous media is enhanced with local and non-local elasto-viscoplasticity to obtain mesh insensitive results even in case of weakly rate-sensitive materials where artificial viscosities are needed for the regularization of the numerical solution. The numerical validation and analysis of the regularization properties of both viscoplastic models is illustrated by simulating numerical examples from the geomechanics field like a biaxial strain localization test and a slope stability problem.