Work

GeomechX: A finite element code for thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled processes in geomechanics

Year: 2025

Type: software-paper

Abstract: GeomechX is an open-source finite element code developed for thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) simulations in geomechanics, specializing in modeling linear thermoporoelasticity in porous rock systems. The software includes verifications for both THM coupled processes and single-component models, demonstrating its suitability for a wide range of geomechanical studies. GeomechX provides a reliable and scalable computational framework, as built on the PETSc library, with verified applications such as poroelastic and thermoelastic stress responses, thermal pressurization, and surface deformation. Its compatibility with popular open-source tools for pre- and post-processing, including Gmsh and ParaView, enhances accessibility and usability. This paper presents overall structure of GeomechX and verification cases in thermoporoelasticity that confirm GeomechX’s accuracy against analytical solutions, along with a field-scale application focused on the geomechanical analysis of deep borehole disposal for high-level radioactive waste. With an adaptable, extensible architecture, GeomechX equips researchers with a valuable tool for studying a variety of geomechanical applications, including nuclear waste disposal, with potential extensions to geothermal energy and CO 2 sequestration, advancing sustainable subsurface engineering in geomechanics.

Source: SoftwareX

DOI: 10.1016/j.softx.2025.102390

Authors: Hwajung Yoo, Ki-Bok Min

Institutions: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Seoul National University

Language: English

Topic: Rock Mechanics and Modeling

Subfield: Mechanics of Materials

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200

Funders: Seoul National University, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea