Thermo-Mechanical Behavior of Geomaterials: Applications and Modeling

This lecture discusses the thermo-mechanical behavior of geomaterials, focusing on the effects of temperature on geomechanical applications. It begins with an overview of various applications, including temperature effects in dams, nuclear waste disposal, geothermal structures, and the impact of seasonal temperature variations on soil. The instructor emphasizes the importance of understanding the coupling between thermal and mechanical behaviors, particularly in the context of energy geostructures. The lecture also covers constitutive modeling frameworks, highlighting the significance of microstructural changes in response to temperature variations. Experimental observations are presented to illustrate the effects of temperature on soil behavior, including irreversible thermal strains and the dependency of preconsolidation pressure on temperature. The lecture concludes with a case study on a gravity-fissured dam, demonstrating the practical implications of thermo-mechanical analysis in engineering projects. Overall, the lecture provides a comprehensive understanding of how temperature influences the mechanical properties of geomaterials and the importance of incorporating these effects into engineering models.