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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Stefano Utili
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This paper presents three dimensional numericalinvestigations of batch sedimentation of spherical particlesin water, by analyses performed by the discrete elementmethod (DEM) coupled with computational fluid dynamics(CFD). By employing this model, the features of bothmechanical and hydraulic behaviour of the fluid-solid mixturesystem are captured. Firstly, the DEM–CFD model isvalidated by the simulation of the sedimentation of a singlespherical particle, for which an analytical solution is available.The numerical model can replicate accurately the settlingbehaviour of particles as long as the mesh size ratio(Dmesh/d) and model size ratio (W/Dmesh) are both largerthan a given threshold. During granular batch sedimentation,segregation of particles is observed at different locations inthemodel. Coarse grains continuously accumulate at the bottom,leaving the finer grains deposited in the upper part of thegranular assembly.During this process, the excess porewaterpressure initially increases rapidly to a peak value, and thendissipates gradually to zero. Meanwhile, the compressibilityof the sediments decreases slowly as a soil layer builds upat the bottom. Consolidation of the deposited layer is causedby the self-weight of grains, while the compressibility of thesample decreases progressively.Electronic
Author(s): Zhao T, Houlsby GT, Utili S
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Granular Matter
Year: 2014
Volume: 16
Pages: 921-932
Print publication date: 01/12/2014
Online publication date: 12/11/2014
Acceptance date: 17/09/2014
ISSN (print): 1434-5021
ISSN (electronic): 1434-7636
Publisher: Springer
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-014-0534-0
DOI: 10.1007/s10035-014-0534-0
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