Variational analysis of dynamics of fissured poroelastic rocks

Rocks can be modeled in a continuum framework as fissured, poroelastic materials, i.e., materials with two degrees of porosity, one due to the fissures and another one due to the pores. The governing equations of motion of fissured poroelastic rocks established by Beskos are rederived here by establishing a variational statement which also provides the boundary conditions of the problem. This is accomplished by considering strain, dissipation and kinetic energies as well as the work of external forces. The above statement is also derived here by employing the method of weighted residuals.