Simulation of seepage through fixed porous media using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method

Seepage of water through soil media, if not controlled, may lead to erosion of earth dams and their foundations and eventually can result in instability and failure. Thus, understanding of flow of water through porous media and accurately modeling of this phenomenon are of great importance in geotechnical engineering. In this study, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is utilized to simulate a 2D pressure-driven vertical flow through fixed porous media. To model fluid motion, the spatially averaged Navier-Stokes equations are implemented into SPH formulations. The spatial heterogeneity and anisotropy of pore space are introduced in the model using local porosity values imported from granular samples created using the discrete element method (DEM). Fluid-solid coupling is considered using classic semi-empirical equations. A SPH model is developed using one-way coupling method, to simulate flow of water through fixed porous media under various hydraulic gradients caused by different mechanisms (e.g., pressure gradient, body force). The effects of porosity values and hydraulic gradients on discharge velocity are studied. The results are compared against published simulation results to validate the developed SPH model.