Maurice Anthony Biot (1905-1985) and his 1941 paper that founded the theory of poroelasticity

admin — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:33:35 -0400

M.A. Biot, General theory of three-dimensional consolidation, Journal of Applied Physics 12, 155-164 (1941).

This paper founded the theory of poroelasticity. Perhaps the most vivid demonstration of poroelasticity is a sponge, an elastic solid with connected pores. When immersed in water, the sponge absorbs water. When a saturated sponge is squeezed, water will come out. More generally, the subject is known as diffusion in elastic solids, or elasticity of fluid-infiltrated porous solids, or poroelasticity. The theory has been applied to diverse phenomena, including

Consolidation of soil
Swelling of hydrogels
Fluid migration in living tissues
Diffusion of atoms in crystals

Huge number of papers and books have been written to apply Biot's theory. In many ways, his original 1941 paper is still the best entry point of the subject. The basic outlook has remained unchanged.

Some online resources on the theory of poroelasticity

A. Cheng, PoroNet, a Poromechanics Internet Resources Network. (pointed out by Michelle Oyen)
E. Detournay and A.H.-D. Cheng, Fundamentals of Poroelasticity, Chap. 5 in Comprehensive Rock Engineering: Principles, Practice and Projects, Vol. II, Analysis and Design Method, ed. C. Fairhurst, Pergamon, 113-171, 1993.
Z. Suo, Poroelasticity, or diffusion in elastic solids, notes for teaching Advanced Elasticity.
J.R. Rice, Elasticity of fluid-infiltrated porous solids, notes for teaching on hydrology and environmental geomechanics.

Biot's speech upon receiving the Timoshenko Medal
Maurice Anthony Biot, Wikipedia entry.

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Maurice Anthony Biot (1905-1985) and his 1941 paper that founded the theory of poroelasticity