Ability of a pore network model to predict fluid flow and drag in saturated granular materials
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Sufian, Adnan
Knight, Christopher
O'Sullivan, Catherine
Van Wachem, Berend
Dini, Daniele
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The local flow field and seepage induced drag obtained from Pore Network Models (PNM) is compared to Immersed Boundary Method (IBM) simulations, for a range of linear graded and bimodal samples. PNM were generated using a weighted Delaunay Tessellation (DT), along with the Modified Delaunay Tessellation (MDT) which considers the merging of tetrahedral Delaunay cells. Two local conductivity models are compared in simulating fluid flow in the PNM. The local pressure field was very accurately captured, while the local flux (flow rate) exhibited more scatter and sensitivity to the choice of the local conductance model. PNM based on the MDT clearly provided a better correlation with the IBM. There was close similarity in the network shortest paths, indicating that the PNM captures dominant flow channels. Comparison of streamline profiles demonstrated that local pressure drops coincided with the pore constrictions. A rigorous validation was undertaken for the drag force calculated from the PNM by comparing with analytical solutions for ordered array of spheres. This method was subsequently applied to all samples, and the calculated force was compared with the IBM data. Linear graded samples were able to calculate the force with reasonable accuracy, while the bimodal samples exhibited slightly more scatter.
Date Issued
2019-06-01
Date Acceptance
2019-02-07
Citation
Computers and Geotechnics, 2019, 110 (1), pp.344-366
ISSN
0266-352X
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
344
End Page
366
Journal / Book Title
Computers and Geotechnics
Volume
110
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266352X19300394?via%3Dihub
Grant Number
EP/N025954/1
EP/P010393/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Physical Sciences
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Engineering, Geological
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Computer Science
Engineering
Geology
Immersed boundary
Pore networks
Modified Delaunay
Local flow field
Drag force
Shortest paths
NUMERICAL-SIMULATION
VISCOUS-FLOW
PERMEABILITY
MONODISPERSE
DEM
PACKING
ARRAYS
SPACE
BEDS
CFD
0905 Civil Engineering
0914 Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy
0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
Geological & Geomatics Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2019-03-12