Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian based numerical modelling of vibro compaction with model vibrator
Abstract The use of field experience and empirical relations for the design of a vibro compaction encourages the development of the understanding of vibratory compaction for granular material. Field measurements are difficult to conduct in homogeneous loose sands, and there is a lack of adequate control of the test conditions in the field. Hence, a model vibrator was fabricated to perform 1g vibro compaction model tests. The effectiveness was evaluated in terms of cone penetration tests before and after compaction. The 1g model test results suggested that the degree and radial extent of compaction increased with frequency for the considered sand for a fixed vibrator mass and eccentricity. A coupled Eulerian Lagrangian based numerical model simulating the 1g model tests was created, and the results from the physical model tests and numerical simulations were found to be in good agreement. Following this validation, the numerical framework was used to study the influence of a range of frequencies and the nature of the sand on the degree and extent of compaction. The numerical simulations were found to not only provide spatial and temporal compaction analysis freedom but also to serve as a substitute for laborious and time consuming physical model tests.