A numerical approach for CFD-DEM coupling method with pore network model considering the effect of anisotropic permeability in soil-rock mixtures

A new fluid–solid coupled numerical approach is developed by combining the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) − DEM (discrete element method) with the pore network model (PNM) to simulate the erosion of the soil-rock mixture. The pore network with pore and pore pipes is constructed based on the particles and updated regularly. A relationship equation is derived between the permeability scalar for micro-scaled pore pipe and the anisotropic permeability tensor for macro-scaled fluid element. By the Delaunay-PorePy-PFC3D program framework, the erosion process of the soil-rock mixture with different fine contents (FCs) is simulated. The results show that the PNM-CFD-DEM model can meet the computational accuracy for simulating the rule-arranged uniform particles. The duration of the erosion stage is different for specimens with different FCs. The PNM-CFD-DEM model can reproduce the particle erosion paths in different specimens, as well as the adjustment of the pore network between their coarse particles. The preferential drag forces in the discrete portion take into account the pore network formed by the state of the particle buildup within each fluid element.