ABSTRACT
Flow of heat or fluid through solids is a problem that is frequently encountered in engineering. In general, such a flow occurs in three spatial dimensions. This chapter considers an interpretation that the rate of change of deformation due the load and the flow or rate of change of potential or temperature due to applied fluid head or temperature are analogous. The relevant constitutive law describes the flow behavior through porous media. The functional for solving the one-dimensional flow problem is obtained from its governing equation and natural boundary conditions. The flow domain can be idealized as a one-dimensional line, and some steps are required in the finite element formulation. These steps include choosing element configuration, choosing approximation function, and defining gradient-potential relation and constitutive law. The steps also include deriving element equations, assemble process, solving potentials, determining secondary quantities, and interpreting and plot results.
