Influence of capillary effects on strength of non-saturated porous media

The mechanical behavior of a partially saturated porous medium is addressed by means of a micro-to-macro reasoning. First, an estimate of the quadratic average over the solid phase of the equivalent shear strain is proposed. The latter is used in the framework of a nonlinear homogenization technique (‘modified secant’ method) in order to model the nonlinear poroelastic behavior in partially saturated conditions. The determination of the macroscopic strength criterion is then considered. Finally, the influence of membrane tension effects on strength is investigated. To cite this article: L. Dormieux et al., C. R. Mecanique 334 (2006).