3D modeling of cohesive crack growth in partially saturated porous media: A parametric study

• A 3D cohesive crack propagation is presented in partially saturated porous media.
• A cohesive interface element is employed to capture the mixed mode fracture behavior.
• The mixture of solid–fluid phase in semi-saturated media is used.
• The momentum balance of fractured media and balance of fluid mass are applied within the fracture.
• Crack permeability is modified based on the data obtained from experimental results.

In this paper, the 3D cohesive crack propagation is presented in partially saturated porous media. The double-nodded zero-thickness cohesive interface elements are employed to capture the mixed mode fracture behavior. In order to describe the behavior of fractured media, two balance equations are applied similar to those employed for the mixture of solid–fluid phase in semi-saturated media, including: the momentum balance of fractured media, and the balance of fluid mass within the fracture. Crack permeability is modified based on the data obtained from experimental results to consider the roughness of fracture walls effect.