Weak solutions to Allen-Cahn-like equations modelling consolidation of porous media

We study the weak solvability of a system of coupled Allen–Cahn–like equations resembling cross–diffusion which is arising as a model for the consolidation of saturated porous media. Besides using energy like estimates, we cast the special structure of the system in the framework of the Leray–Schauder fixed point principle and ensure this way the local existence of strong solutions to a regularised version of our system. Furthermore, weak convergence techniques ensure the existence of weak solutions to the original consolidation problem. The uniqueness of global-in-time solutions is guaranteed in a particular case. Moreover, we use a finite difference scheme to show the negativity of the vector of solutions. Keywords: Weak solutions; cross–diffusion system; energy method; Leray–Schauder fixed point theorem; finite differences; consolidation of porous media.