Hydraulic properties of general-shape monodisperse granular materials: an insight from pore-network perspective
Hydraulic properties of general-shape monodisperse granular materials: an insight from pore-network perspective
The understanding of the hydraulic properties of granular materials is of fundamental importance in geotechnical engineering. These macroscopic properties are fundamentally influenced by their micro-structure. However, the understanding of the link between the microstructure and the permeability is still limited, especially for granular assemblies of irregular shapes. This study bridges the gap using a framework that incorporates Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulation, image processing, and pore-network analysis. Five assemblies of natural sand grains with different sphericity and roundness are generated in DEM based on images of real geomaterials. The 3D geometries of the assemblies are processed in OpenPNM to build their pore networks, with pores represented as nodes and pore throats represented as edges that are weighted by local hydraulic conductance. Based on complex network theory, pore network features are extracted and analysed for insight into the intrinsic links between particle shape and hydraulic properties such as permeability and tortuosity. The result shows the hydraulic properties such as permeability, tortuosity and pore structures including pore size, throat size, and weighted closeness centrality of the pore network are intrinsically influenced by the particle shape.
Jilin Qi; W. Fei; Guillermo A. Narsilio
18th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ECSMGE2024)
E - Environment, water and energy
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