Parametric Analysis for 3D Modeling of Consolidation-Induced Solute Transport Using OpenFOAM

Most previous investigations for consolidation-induced solute transport models have been limited to one-dimensional studies in unsaturated porous media and lack systematic parameter sensitivity analysis. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing the effects of hydraulic conductivity (K), shear modulus (G), saturation (Sr), Poisson’s ratio (ν), partitioning coefficient (Kd), and anisotropy ratio (KxKz and KyKz) on pore water pressure, soil deformation, and solute transport. The findings reveal that higher Kd values significantly hinder solute migration through enhanced adsorption and reduced vertical transport to deeper layers, while increasing anisotropy ratios primarily enhance horizontal migration, with their effects diminishing beyond a threshold. Additionally, a higher K accelerates pressure dissipation and solute movement, while a lower G increases soil deformation and speeds up solute migration. Saturation has a minor effect on solute concentration, with slight increases under higher Sr. The Poisson ratio significantly impacts the transport of the solute, with smaller ν accelerating and larger ν slowing migration. These insights offer valuable theoretical support for optimizing models in unsaturated porous media.