Optimization of fresh concrete pumping pressure loss with CFD-DEM approach

Abstract

In this study, a three-dimensional model of a concrete pump truck conveying pipe was established, and a computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method (CFD-DEM) coupling model was used to simulate the pumping process of fresh concrete in different pipes. The influences of the structural parameters and inclination angles of the taper pipe, bend pipe, and their combination on the pressure loss were numerically investigated. Taking the minimum pumping pressure loss as the optimization goal, an objective function was established for the pressure loss of the pump truck conveying pipe. Using the spatial position of the pump truck conveying pipe as the constraint, an optimization method was proposed for the pump truck conveying pipe, based on combining the CFD-DEM coupling model and a single objective optimization algorithm. A comparison between the optimized and initial models shows that the pressure loss of the optimized model of the pump truck conveying pipe is reduced by 5.45%; the average velocity of the coarse aggregate at the exit of the pipe is also reduced.