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A node-based smoothed point interpolation method based on the generalised gradient smoothing technique is proposed for coupled hydro-mechanical analysis of geomechanical problems. In the proposed method, the problem domain is first discretised with the use of a simple triangular background mesh which is used in the selection of the supporting nodes for shape function construction as well as forming node-based smoothing domains. Weakened weak formulation is applied for spatial discretisation of the coupled partial differential equations. Both displacement and pressure fields are interpolated using the point interpolation shape functions and a three-point time discretisation scheme with variable time steps is used for temporal discretisation. Two benchmark numerical examples with analytical/reference solutions are then used to investigate the accuracy of this method compared to the conventional finite element method.

meshfree methods, coupled analysis, smoothed point interpolation method