Euler-Lagrange simulation of invert concrete abrasion

Abstract

This paper develops a new sub-particle scale abrasion model for the Concrete Discrete Element Method (CDEM). The concrete abrasion model estimates the fracture rates of concrete particles in the CDEM method based on the mechanical energy, which the moving particles consume by collisions. The present concrete abrasion model is incorporated into the APM (Arbitrary Particle Multiphase) code (Fukuoka et al. 2004), which is capable of simulating three-dimensional motions of arbitrarily shaped particles and water, based on the high-resolution Euler-Lagrange strategy. The APM code with the CDEM method and the new abrasion model (APM-CDEMA) was used to simulate concrete invert abrasion in a real scale abrasion experiment conducted by Fukuoka et al. (2004). The simulation results for the abrasion speed of concrete invert agreed well with the results of the experiment.