Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian method for large‐strain consolidation problems

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) method is generalized to solve consolidation problems involving large deformation. Special issues such as pore‐water pressure convection, permeability and void ratio updates due to rotation and convection, mesh refinement and equilibrium checks are discussed. A simple and effective mesh refinement scheme is presented for the ALE method. The ALE method as well as an updated‐Lagrangian method is then used to solve some classical consolidation problems involving large deformations with different constitutive laws. The results clearly show the advantage and efficiency of the ALE method for these examples. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.