A comparison of finite element codes for the solution of biphasic poroelastic problems

The extent to which three finite element codes can solve problems in biphasic poroelasticity is examined. Both linear and non-linear (that is where the permeability of the material is a function of deformation) formulations are studied using the standard confined compression problem as an example. The results are compared, where possible, to the results of Spilker, Suh and Mow who first presented a solution to this problem for cartilage. The agreement is excellent for the linear case. For the non-linear case, the solutions do differ slightly; however, the difference would not appear to be significant.