| Abstract: | A mixed finite element for coupled thermo‐hydro‐mechanical (THM) analysis in unsaturated porous media is proposed. Displacements, strains, the net stresses for the solid phase; pressures, pressure gradients, Darcy velocities for pore water and pore air phases; temperature, temperature gradients, the total heat flux are interpolated as independent variables. The weak form of the governing equations of coupled THM problems in porous media within the element is given on the basis of the Hu–Washizu three‐filed variational principle. The proposed mixed finite element formulation is derived. The non‐linear version of the element formulation is further derived with particular consideration of the THM constitutive model for unsaturated porous media based on the CAP model. The return mapping algorithm for the integration of the rate constitutive equation, the consistent elasto‐plastic tangent modulus matrix and the element tangent stiffness matrix are developed. For geometrical non‐linearity, the co‐rotational formulation approach is utilized. Numerical results demonstrate the capability and the performance of the proposed element in modelling progressive failure characterized by strain localization and the softening behaviours caused by thermal and chemical effects. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
