MODELING WITH INFINITE ELEMENTS IN THE STUDY OF STRESS FIELD AND HEAT DIFFUSION AT THE CONTOUR OF UNDERGROUND EXCAVATIONS.

This work analyzes, by using discretization with finite and infinite elements, some situation of special interest previously studied with conventional FEM models comparing them with the already achieved results. These elements, recently proposed in works concerning various field of application (wave propagation, fluid motion, stress analysis at the boundary of cavities and in proximity to loading areas, dynamical analysis of foundations and seepage problems) have shown the possibility of modeling the infinite area consistently, without the introduction of further nodal parameters. Two practical cases were here developed: the stress-strain analysis of the Frejus motorway tunnel and the transient heat conduction at the contour of a haulage drive. Both these works are compared with the results of studies and researches recently carried out by Turin Polythecnic (School of Mining), on behalf of the operating companies