Determination of the constriction size distribution of granular filters by filtration tests

This paper presents the calibration of an experiment based on filtration tests, able to provide the cumulative constriction size distribution of granular materials. Here, simulations of these tests are performed using a discrete element method. Filters of same density but different thicknesses are created with a poly‐sized spherical material. Lateral periodic boundaries for the samples are used, and their size is calibrated so that a representative elementary volume is obtained. Fine particles are released on the created samples, and the particle size distribution of the collected material that successfully crossed the filters is computed. These particle size distributions are related to the underlying cumulative constriction size distribution (CSD) of the granular material involved in the samples. The CSD is derived using a probabilistic approach for the path length of individual particles through a granular material. We settle all the requisites related to the technique and to the fine particles that are released to allow reaching a correct CSD for the filter. The reference CSD used for the calibration of the experiment is obtained after a radical partition of the void space into Delaunay tetrahedra and a geometrical characterisation of constrictions on each tetrahedron face. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A critical review on granular dam filter behaviour – from particle sizes to constriction-based design criteria

Over emphasis on tests results involving base soils with increasing coefficient of uniformity (C_u ) makes the reliability of an empirical particle-based criterion for effective filters questionable. Extra measures such as regrading of base soil are then necessary in order to capture the effectiveness of filter constriction sizes in trapping eroding fines. Recent studies which focused on the role of the sizes of filter voids on overall filtration behaviour have deployed constriction size approaches that were shown to be equally acceptable methods for distinguishing between effective and ineffective filters. This paper examines the evolution of this approach, starting from past empirical and mathematical investigations and proceeding to the eventual development of geometric-probabilistic methods with special reference to embankment dams. Models based on dominant and controlling constriction sizes are introduced, and subsequently the constriction-based retention criteria for granular filters are presented. The proposed retention criteria were verified based on extensive experimental data taken from small- and large-scale filtration tests carried out by various authors. The integration of filter compaction, porosity and C_u , together with the incorporation of analytical principles, provides alternative and rigorous design approaches that remove most limitations of the conventional particle-based criteria, thus making the models essentially more comprehensive and quantifiable.     

新疆宽浅变迁河流桥位河段壅水研究

新疆宽浅动床河流水深小、比降大、水流急,河床容易冲刷。建桥后,由于桥位断面压缩而导致的壅水与一般冲积河流不同。通过概化动床模型试验,得出了新疆宽浅变迁河流桥位河段壅水计算公式。动床模型公式充分反映了这类河流壅水的特点,因而与实际情况较为符合。