Analyzing point liquid loading effects on transversely isotropic poroelastic media using Green’s function

Abstract Understanding the effects of point liquid loading on transversely isotropic poroelastic media is crucial for advancing geomechanics and biomechanics, where precise modeling of fluid-structure interactions is essential. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of infinite transversely isotropic poroelasticity under a fluid source, based on Biot’s theory, aiming to uncover new and previously unexplored insights in the literature. We begin our study by deriving a general solution for fluid-saturated, transversely isotropic poroelastic materials in terms of harmonic functions that satisfy sixth-order homogeneous partial differential equations, using potential theory and Almansi’s theorem. Based on these general solutions and potential functions, we construct a Green’s function for a point fluid source, introducing three new harmonic functions with undetermined constants. These constants are determined by enforcing continuity and equilibrium conditions. Substituting these into the general solution yields fundamental solutions for poroelasticity that provide crucial support for a wide range of project problems. Numerical results and comparisons with existing literature are provided to illustrate physical mechanisms through contour plots. Our observations reveal that all components tend to zero in the far field and become singular at the concentrated source. Additionally, the contours exhibit rapid changes near the point fluid source but display gradual variations at a distance from it. These findings highlight the intricate behavior of the system under point liquid loading, offering valuable insights for further research and practical applications.