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Abstract
A one-dimensional vertical two-phase flow model for sedimentation–consolidation process is presented. The model is based on solving the continuity and momentum equations for both fluid and solid phases. In the non-cohesive case, the momentum transfer between the two phases is reduced to the drag force around a single particle modified to take the hindrance effects into account. In the cohesive case, Darcy–Gersevanov's law is used for the closure of the momentum transfer between the two phases and the concept of “effective stress” is introduced to take into account the bed structuring. These closure laws are validated against high-resolution experimental data in terms of settling curves and concentration profiles. The reliability of the model is illustrated from an analysis of the momentum balances at different stages during the process. Finally, the proposed closure laws and numerical algorithms are shown to be able to quantitatively reproduce sedimentation of non-cohesive and sedimentation–consolidation of cohesive sediments, including mud.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the CETMEF (Centre d'Etude Technique Maritime Et Fluvial/French centre for marine and fluvial technical studies) for its financial support (contract N°06DSTS006). D.P.V.B. would like to thank F. Bertrand for the support during the IRM measurements at LMSGC, J.C. would like to thank Elisabeth Guazzelli, Pascale Aussillous, Yod˙el Forterre and Olivier Pouliquen for the fruitful discussions concerning the physics of particulate flows during his post-doc position in the GEP team (Marseille) and Hervè Michallet for his useful comments on the manuscript.