A coupled heat-moisture transfer theory for deformable unsaturated soil and its algorithmic implementation

This paper presents a formulation for coupled heat and moisture transfer in a deformable partially saturated soil. The research is based on a mechanistic phase interaction model coupled to a state surface approach. The method takes into account the coupling effect of temperature gradient and deformations on flows in porous media. Pore water pressure, pore air pressure, temperature and displacement are treated as the primary unknowns. A numerical solution of the formulation is then achieved via the finite element method. An example of the use of the new model is then presented. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.