P. Chen’s scientific contributions

With fracture rock mass considered as equivalent continuum medium, a FEM model for analysis of the coupled unsteady 3D seepage and stress fields is developed, and the cases of coupling and no-coupling are analyzed in an engineering example. The results indicate that it is feasible to analyze the seepage and stress coupling in densely fractured rock mass. In comparison with the no-coupling case, seepage-stress coupling reduces the seepage rate and increases the stress of dam foundation. It is also found that when the water level falls, the fall of hydraulic head in the dam foundation lags in time. A greater falling rate leads to a longer lag. Thus it is necessary to consider the coupling of fracture rock mass. The presented method would have a wide application to the study of multi-fields coupling effect in hydraulic engineering, geotechnical engineering, coal exploiting, second-developed fossil oil, etc.