Half-space solutions for deformation fields generated by thermo-poro-elastic inclusions with spherical symmetry

This thesis focuses on a source model consisting of a thermo-poro-elastic (TPE) inclusion embedded within a homogeneous, bounded elastic medium. I investigate cases where the source region has either a spherical or spherical shell geometry and undergoes variations in temperature and pore pressure. Analytical solutions are provided for displacement, strain, and stress components both within the source and in the surrounding medium. Comparisons are also made with pre-existing solutions obtained in an unbounded medium. The study also shows that the surface effects of a spherically symmetric TPE source are equivalent to those of a Mogi source for a suitable choice of parameters. This kind of solutions are relevant to explain deformation and seismicity observed in geothermal and volcanic regions, as alternatives to magmatic-source models. For the sphere, the solutions are fully validated, while for the shell, an initial step toward complete solutions is presented. The present shell model proves reliable when the source lies at a depth comparable to its outer diameter, as the error in satisfying the boundary condition at the shell’s inner surface remains within 15%. The maximum shear stress on the shell’s equatorial plane was analyzed as a function of the inner radius, showing that thinner shells have higher maximum shear stress inside and lower outside, potentially promoting seismicity within the source. The tectonic regime inside the source is compressive for the sphere and strike-slip for the shell.