Abstract

This study introduced a four-way CFD-DEM coupling approach to simulate the shear-induced particle migration (SIPM) mechanism leading to formation of the lubrication layer (LL) during concrete pumping. The CFD-DEM simulations considered the coupled effect of concentration (10 %–40 %) and wide size distribution (1–17 mm) of aggregate and rheology of the mortar for forces between the suspending matrix and the particles (and vice versa), as well as force transmission directly between particles (and the pipe wall). The formation of the LL was successfully simulated through a more realistic understanding the SIPM mechanism and rheological evaluation across the pipe with comparable calculation times compared to the one-way coupled DEM approach, especially for high concentrations. The simulated LL thicknesses of 0.8–2.7 mm compared well with experimental values. The flow rate and rheological heterogeneity of pumped concrete, and rheology of the LL, were found mostly controlled by the granular-skeleton characteristics rather than the suspending-matrix rheology.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Comments

Université de Sherbrooke, Grant None

Keywords and Phrases

Concrete pumping; Coupled CFD-DEM; Lubrication layer; Particle-size distribution; Shear-induced particle migration

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0008-8846

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 2024

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