Scale modelling of fluid flow in geotechnical centrifuges
Scale modelling of fluid flow in geotechnical centrifuges
Geotechnical centrifuges enable prototype-magnitude effective stresses to be generated in small-scale soil models, a necessary condition for using them to predict prototype behaviour. The paper presents a thorough dimensional analysis of the modelling process. The general relationships between soil-particle size, pore-fluid viscosity and time-scaling processes which are necessary (in addition to effective-stress consistency), to ensure correct Reynolds Number modelling are presented in detail. The conditions for valid modelling of consolidation and accelerating-particle processes are also defined and discussed. Some historical errors are noted together with an analysis of the shortcomings of the use of 'prototype soil ' in the model and oversimplified fluid viscosity scaling. A new pseudo-prototype concept is also introduced. This defines the prototype soil which is actually being modelled in a centrifuge test, enabling it to be compared with the one intended.
centrifuge, dimensional analysis, modelling, particle-size, viscosity
39-45
Butterfield, Roy
630c6573-427b-41c3-9dc6-0b614a69db27
2000
Butterfield, Roy
630c6573-427b-41c3-9dc6-0b614a69db27
Butterfield, Roy
(2000)
Scale modelling of fluid flow in geotechnical centrifuges.
Soils and Foundations, 40 (6), .
Abstract
Geotechnical centrifuges enable prototype-magnitude effective stresses to be generated in small-scale soil models, a necessary condition for using them to predict prototype behaviour. The paper presents a thorough dimensional analysis of the modelling process. The general relationships between soil-particle size, pore-fluid viscosity and time-scaling processes which are necessary (in addition to effective-stress consistency), to ensure correct Reynolds Number modelling are presented in detail. The conditions for valid modelling of consolidation and accelerating-particle processes are also defined and discussed. Some historical errors are noted together with an analysis of the shortcomings of the use of 'prototype soil ' in the model and oversimplified fluid viscosity scaling. A new pseudo-prototype concept is also introduced. This defines the prototype soil which is actually being modelled in a centrifuge test, enabling it to be compared with the one intended.
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Published date: 2000
Keywords:
centrifuge, dimensional analysis, modelling, particle-size, viscosity
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 74719
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/74719
ISSN: 0038-0806
PURE UUID: bdb33bbd-d222-49d9-b852-1136240c09ec
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Date deposited: 11 Mar 2010
Last modified: 08 Jan 2022 14:27
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Author:
Roy Butterfield
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