Multiscale formulation of frictional contact mechanics at the pore scale

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) yields the highest fidelity predictions of mechanical deformation at pore scale, but is prohibitively expensive for analyzing large or many samples. Discrete element methods (DEM) are an efficient alternative, limited to granular media and incapable estimating controlling prediction errors. We present a pore-level multiscale method (PLMM) that approximates DNS efficiently with controllable accuracy. focus on linear elastic response consolidated geologic porous medium arbitrary microstructure, heterogeneous mineralogy, containing cracks defects. PLMM decomposes solid phase into non-overlapping subdomains, which local basis functions constructed. The bases then coupled global interface problem accounts slip stick contact conditions between subdomains. produces initial, accurate, approximation can be iteratively improved. It amenable parallelism allows different mesh, models, physics in each subdomain. An algebraic interpretation as preconditioner also presented allow non-intrusive implementation existing solvers. This work extends previous developments fluid dynamics mechanics enables future extensions towards modeling flow problems.