Simulation of Upward Seepage Flow in a Single Column of Spheres Using Discrete-Element Method with Fluid-Particle Interaction

Abstract

The interaction between soil particles and pore water makes the behavior of saturated and unsaturated soil complex. In this note, upward seepage flow through a granular material was idealized using a one-column particle model. The motion of the individual particles was numerically simulated using the discrete-element method taking the interaction with the fluid into account. The fluid behavior was simulated by the Navier-Stokes equation using the semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equation. This approach has already been applied in powder engineering applications. However, there are very few studies that have used this approach in geotechnical engineering. This note first describes the qualitative and quantitative validation of this method for hydraulic gradients below the critical one by comparing the results with an analytical solution. Then, the ability of the method to simulate the macroscale behavior due to the interaction between particles and pore water at hydraulic gradients exceeding the critical hydraulic gradient is discussed.