Abstract
This study investigates the segregation processes and impact response of binary granular mixtures with identical densities but different sizes particles subjected to gravity. Deposition was compared using discrete element method (DEM) numerical experiment and laboratory experiment to determine the material parameters in the particle flow code in three dimensions (PFC3D). With proper material parameters, many numerical experiments were performed on an idealized binary granular mixture avalanche to reveal its kinetic properties, with a particular focus on the results of the final run-out distance, fluid velocity, and impact force exerted on defending structures. The simulation results show that the energy dissipation in granular avalanches is higher with uniform particle sizes than with mixed particle sizes, indicating lesser energy dissipation in segregation processes. Coarse particles also play an important role in determining the kinetic properties of binary granular mixture avalanches; specifically, they obviously affect the maximum impact force when the storage area length is small. On the other hand, fine particles play an important role when the storage area length is large. These results suggest that the effects of coarse particles in granular avalanches containing more than one particle size may be at least as important.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Coleman JM, Prior DB (1988) Mass wasting on continental margins. Annu Rev Earth Planet Sci 16:101
Cundall PA, Strack ODL (1979) A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies. Geotechnique 29(1):47–65
Gray JMNT, Kokelaar BP (2010) Large particle segregation, transport and accumulation in granular free-surface flows. J Fluid Mech 652:105–137
Itasca Consulting Group Inc (2002) PFC3D particle flow code in 3 dimensions. User’s Guide, Minneapolis
Iverson RM (1997) The physics of debris flows. Rev Geophys 35(3):245–296
Iverson RM, Logan M, LaHusen RG, Berti M (2010) The perfect debris flow? Aggregated results from 28 large-scale experiments. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 115(F3):2003–2012
Kokelaar BP, Graham RL, Gray JMNT, Vallance JW (2014) Fine-grained linings of leveed channels facilitate runout of granular flows. Earth Planet Sci Lett 385:172–180
Li X, He S, Luo Y, Wu Y (2010) Discrete element modeling of debris avalanche impact on retaining walls. J Mt Sci 7(3):276–281
Metcalfe G, Shinbrot T, McCarthy JJ, Ottino JM (1995) Avalanche mixing of granular solids. Nature Int Wkly J Sci 374(6517):39–41
Möbius ME, Lauderdale BE, Nagel SR, Jaeger HM (2001) Brazil-nut effect: size separation of granular particles. Nature 414(6861):270–270
Phillips JC, Hogg AJ, Kerswell R, Thomas NH (2006) Enhanced mobility of granular mixtures of fine and coarse particles. Earth Planet Sci Lett 246(3):466–480
Potyondy DO, Cundall PA (2004) A bonded-particle model for rock. Int J Rock Mech Mining Sci 41(8):1329–1364
Pudasaini SP, Hutter K, Hsiau S, Tai SC, Wang Y, Katzenbach R (2007) Rapid flow of dry granular materials down inclined chutes impinging on rigid walls. Phys Fluids 19(5):3302
Salciarini D, Tamagnini C, Conversini P (2010) Discrete element modeling of debris-avalanche impact on earthfill barriers. Phys Chem Earth Part A/B/C 35(3):172–181
Savage SB (1984) The mechanics of rapid granular flows. Adv Appl Mech 24:289–366
Savage SB (1993) Mechanics of granular flows. Springer, Vienna, pp 467–522
Shinbrot T, Alexander A, Muzzio FJ (1999) Spontaneous chaotic granular mixing. Nature 397(6721):675–678
Tsuji Y, Tanaka T, Ishida T (1992) Lagrangian numerical simulation of plug flow of cohesionless particles in a horizontal pipe. Powder Technol 71(3):239–250
Valentino R, Barla G, Montrasio L (2008) Experimental analysis and micromechanical modelling of dry granular flow and impacts in laboratory flume tests. Rock Mech Rock Eng 41(1):153–177
Yoon J (2007) Application of experimental design and optimization to PFC model calibration in uniaxial compression simulation. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44(6):871–889
Zanuttigh B, Lamberti A (2007) Instability and surge development in debris flows. Rev Geophys 45(3):1–45
Záruba Q (1981) Rockslides and avalanches, I. Natural phenomena. Eng Geol 17(1):61–62
Zhou GG, Ng CW (2010) Numerical investigation of reverse segregation in debris flows by DEM. Granular Matter 12(5):507–516
Zhou GGD, Sun QC (2013) Three-dimensional numerical study on flow regimes of dry granular flows by DEM. Powder Technol 239:115–127
Acknowledgments
The authors appreciate the financial support from the National Key Basic Research Program of China (Project No. 2013CB733201), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41272346, 41472293, 41202258, 91430105). This research has also received financial support from the Sci&Tec Research Project from the Second Railways Survey and Design Institute of the China Ministry of Railway (Grant No. 13164196(13-15)).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bi, Y., He, S., Li, X. et al. Effects of segregation in binary granular mixture avalanches down inclined chutes impinging on defending structures. Environ Earth Sci 75, 263 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-5076-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-5076-1