Comprehensive overview of the macroscopic thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of saturated cohesive soils

Abstract

Understanding the effects of temperature on the hydro-mechanical behavior of geomaterials (i.e., soil and rock) has gained significance over the past three decades. This is due to new applications in which these materials are subjected to non-isothermal conditions. Examples of such applications include geothermal systems, nuclear waste disposal, and energy geo-structures. The analysis and design of such applications requires a thorough understanding of the macroscopic thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behavior of the geomaterials. Although various aspects of this behavior have been documented in the literature, a comprehensive overview of such behavior is lacking. This article presents such an overview of the macroscopically observed THM behavior of saturated cohesive soils.