Periodic reservoir water-level fluctuations easily trigger the loss of fine particles within the gravelly soil of the hydro-fluctuation belt, which can induce deep-seated deformation or even instability of bank slopes, yet the underlying mechanism is extremely complex. Focusing on this seepage-sensitive medium, this study employs a coupled computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method (CFD-DEM) approach. Models of gap-graded sandy gravel with three distinct initial fine particle contents were constructed to conduct whole-process simulations of seepage-induced suffusion and triaxial shear under varying hydraulic gradients. Based on the comparison of macro- and micro-scopic index evolution, this study specifically quantifies and reveals the controlling mechanism of the void ratio on the deterioration of the soil’s macroscopic mechanical properties. The results indicate that the cumulative erosion ratio is positively correlated with the hydraulic gradient but negatively correlated with the initial fine particle content. The loss of fine particles leads to the rupture and reorganization of strong force chains, causing a permanent increase in void ratio and permeability, thereby driving the soil microstructure toward a metastable state. Suffusion-induced pore structure damage results in soil strength degradation and dilatancy weakening, and the peak internal friction angle exhibits a significant linear negative correlation with the void ratio. However, the residual internal friction angle of various specimens is not significantly affected by suffusion. This study elucidates the macro-micro correlations between the suffusion process and strength degradation in gap-graded soils, providing theoretical support for the disaster prevention and control of reservoir bank slopes.
近年来,计算流体力学-离散元耦合方法(Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method,CFD-DEM)因能有效捕捉颗粒-流体相互作用及微观结构演化,被广泛应用于岩土多相流研究[23-25]。已有学者利用该方法探讨了粒径比[26]、颗粒形态[27]及相对密实度[28]对潜蚀过程的影响,并将该方法拓展应用于边坡失稳[29]、大坝渗漏[30]、隧洞涌水[31]等工程场景分析。然而,针对“渗流潜蚀-结构演化-力学劣化”全过程的连续性耦合分析尚有待加强。同时,针对间断级配砂砾土这一特定介质,其从微观结构损伤到宏观强度衰减的跨尺度定量关联机制,以及潜蚀造成的孔隙比改变如何定量控制强度衰减的内在规律,仍需进一步解析。
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