We study a finite element computational model for solving the coupled problem
arising in the interaction between a free fluid and a fluid in a poroelastic
medium. The free fluid is governed by the Stokes equations, while the flow in
the poroelastic medium is modeled using the Biot poroelasticity system.
Equilibrium and kinematic conditions are imposed on the interface. A mixed
Darcy formulation is employed, resulting in continuity of flux condition of
essential type. A Lagrange multiplier method is employed to impose weakly this
condition. A stability and error analysis is performed for the semi-discrete
continuous-in-time and the fully discrete formulations. A series of numerical
experiments is presented to confirm the theoretical convergence rates and to
study the applicability of the method to modeling physical phenomena and the
sensitivity of the model with respect to its parameters