Weak Solutions in Nonlinear Poroelasticity with Incompressible Constituents

Abstract

We consider quasi-static poroelastic systems with incompressible constituents. The nonlinear permeability is taken to be dependent on solid dilation, and physical types of boundary conditions (Dirichlet, Neumann, and mixed) for the fluid pressure are considered. Such dynamics are motivated by applications in biomechanics and, in particular, tissue perfusion. This system represents a nonlinear, implicit, degenerate evolution problem. We provide a direct fixed point strategy for proving the existence of weak solutions, which is made possible by a novel result on the uniqueness of weak solution to the associated linear system (the permeability a given function of space and time). The linear uniqueness proof is based on novel energy estimates for arbitrary weak solutions, rather than just for constructed solutions (as limits of approximants). The results of this work provide a foundation for addressing strong solutions, as well uniqueness of weak solutions for the nonlinear porous media system.