Coupled CFD–DEM modeling of surface erosion in granular soils: simulation of erosion function apparatus experiments

This study introduces a numerical modeling approach that couples the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the discrete element method (DEM) to simulate grain-scale soil erosion processes induced by water flows. In this modeling framework, CFD simulates fluid flows by solving the volume-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, and uses the k–ω turbulent model for turbulent flows. Simultaneously, DEM computes the displacement of solid particles by incorporating the fluid–particle interactions driven by fluid flows while adhering to Newton’s laws of motion. These interactions encompass drag force, buoyancy force, pressure-gradient force, and viscous force exerted by fluid flows and acting on the particles. The coupled CFD–DEM modeling adeptly replicates soil erosion processes, demonstrating good alignment with results obtained from laboratory erosion function apparatus tests. In particular, the DEM facilitates the estimation of shear stress acting on the soil surface based on fluid–particle interaction forces, which has been roughly approximated by empirical or semi-empirical models. This study underscores the capability of coupled CFD–DEM in providing valuable insights into the grain-scale behavior of soil particles subjected to fluid flows, with the potential for extension to address soil erosion and fines migration.