Investigation of Climate Change on Unsaturated Porous Media via a Discrete Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Model

The impacts of climate change on unsaturated porous media have been investigated through the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical analysis by leveraging a discrete fracture model. The transport of gas and liquid phases in unsaturated porous media is captured under non-isothermal conditions. The balance principles of moisture energy and mass are associated with crack propagation. The temperature-dependent degree of saturation and permeability of water are incorporated into fracture based on the cubic law. Numerical examples are designed to evaluate the applicability of the proposed model against climate change. First, a double-notch plate domain is used to identify the sensitivity of various material properties on crack propagation associated with mechanical loading. Then, a masonry wall of drying under thermal action is studied to investigate its degradation by mimicking climatic load conditions. The results of numerical tests demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed model for practical application well.