Journal Published Online: 01 December 1999
Volume 22, Issue 4

Capillary Flow in the Geotechnical Centrifuge

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

A “bundle of capillaries” approach is used to model unsaturated soils. Movement of fluid is approximated by employing a simple Poiseuille's capillary flow mathematical model. It is found that the centrifuge model flow time is 1/n2 times that for the pertinent prototype flow time. Here model acceleration = n × acceleration of gravity (i.e., a = ng). This result applies for: 1. Capillary rise at an arbitrary angle to the horizontal. 2. Horizontal capillary flow. 3. Downward capillary flow (infiltration) at an arbitrary angle. 4. Vertical drainage at an arbitrary angle.

This is the same centrifuge model scale factor as for advection, diffusion, and dispersion.

Author Information

Lord, AE
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: GTJ11241J
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ11241J