LIAG / Research / Methods / Numerical Methods / Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Geo-Processes 

Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Geo-Processes

Geo processes are coupled THMC processes. They are mathematically modeled by coupled partial differential equations. Simulations are experiments with numerical solution models.

Geo processes are essentially determined by the coupled transport of

  • Energy (thermal and mechanical) and
  • Mass (essentially fluids)


These processes are usually assigned to the terms

  • thermal (T)
  • hydraulic (H)
  • Mechanical (M)
  • chemical (C)


As a whole, they are referred to as coupled THMC processes. The quantitative description of THMC processes generally requires the solution of a coupled system of the following conservation equations:

  • Energy balance
  • Mass balance of the moving fluid and its content components
  • Momentum balance of the fluid system
  • Momentum balance for the mechanical force system in the rock with its strong coupling to the temperature distribution in the subsurface via induced thermo-mechanical stresses.


Such systems of coupled partial differential equations can only be solved numerically in practice.
By simulations we mean experiments with numerical models for the analysis of the mapped processes and their interactions as well as for prognostic purposes.
Depending on the system under consideration, its determining scales and the purpose of the simulations, adequate tools for numerical modeling are selected or developed by us. This includes commercial software (e.g. COMSOL, feflow), open source programs (e.g. OGS, OPM, MODFLOW) as well as own developments (e.g. oops! ®)