UDAM: A powerful finite element software for the analysis of unsaturated porous media

In this paper, a brief review of the basic points of the infinitesimal deformation theory of unsaturated porous media is presented, including the main modifications due to nonlinear and suction-dependent behaviour. Spatial discretization of the field equations carried out by the finite element method and the dynamic integration in time domain are described, as well as the required formulae. The developed graphic software for the pre-and postprocessing steps of the finite element analysis runs on personal computers and it is also described. An illustrative numerical example of an earth dam analysis is presented and discussed. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.