Particle-scale observation of seepage flow in granular soils using PIV and CFD

Seepage-induced instabilities pose a challenge in many geotechnical applications. Particle-scale mechanisms govern the initiation of instability. However, current understanding is based on macro-scale perspective that draws continuum mechanics. Recent developments imaging and numerical analysis can provide particle-scale fundamental needed to develop comprehensive insight. This contribution demonstrates value combining experimental studies. The experiments consider transparent soil samples created using refractive image matching monitored by particle velocimetry (PIV). Three-dimensional pore topology extracted from series two-dimensional images imported into computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Permeability estimated three distinct approaches: flow rate, PIV- CFD-generated data. fields obtained PIV CFD are good agreement considering both rate contour plots distributions; this successful reconstruction three-dimensional structure flow-field analysis. comparison also reveals side boundary effects simulations constrained within limited region. multi-plane results characterise variance velocity with topology. Finally, fluid–particle interactions show larger angular packings.