Geomechanics seeks to address the subject of static and dynamic equilibrium of forces acting upon earth subsystems. The applications in this area involve the prediction of stability and deformation of soil and rock due to construction of subterranean and surface structures. Most of the applications are in the analyses of civil engineering structures for optimizing safety and cost. Drilling mechanics, well bore stability, abnormal formation pressures and reservoir subsidence are some of the subjects of interest in petroleum geomechanics. Stress tensor, deformation tensor and a failure model are required to predict the behavior of geomaterials. However, these three quantities fail to fully capture the time-dependent and nonlinear behavior of the inhomogeneous and multiphase geomaterials. Elastic, plastic, poroelastic as well as the more sophisticated critical state models of failure together with numerical techniques such as the finite element method can be used with varying degrees of success. Supplemental information in the form of geophysical data acquisition records, geological and tectonic history, triaxial test data on core samples and borehole measurements from formation pressure test, drill stem test and leakoff test can improve predictions.

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