Discrete Element Analysis of Grouting Reinforcement and Slurry Diffusion in Overburden Strata

Research on the grouting reinforcement mechanism of overburden is constrained by the concealed and heterogeneous nature of geotechnical media, posing dual challenges in theoretical analysis and process visualization. Based on discrete element numerical simulations and laboratory tests, an analytical...

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Main Authors: Pengfei Guo, Weiquan Zhao, Yahui Ma, Huiling Gen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8464
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author Pengfei Guo
Weiquan Zhao
Yahui Ma
Huiling Gen
author_facet Pengfei Guo
Weiquan Zhao
Yahui Ma
Huiling Gen
author_sort Pengfei Guo
collection DOAJ
description Research on the grouting reinforcement mechanism of overburden is constrained by the concealed and heterogeneous nature of geotechnical media, posing dual challenges in theoretical analysis and process visualization. Based on discrete element numerical simulations and laboratory tests, an analytical model for grouting reinforcement in overburden layers is developed, revealing the influence of grouting pressure on slurry diffusion shape and distance. The results indicate the following: (1) Contact parameters of overburden and cement particles were obtained through laboratory tests. A grouting model for the overburden layer was established using the discrete element method. After optimizing particle coarsening and the contact model, the simulation more accurately represented slurry diffusion characteristics such as compaction, splitting, and permeability. (2) By monitoring porosity and coordination number distributions near grouting holes before and after injection using circular measurement, the discrete element simulation clearly visualizes the slurry reinforcement range. The reinforcement mechanism is attributed to the combined effects of pore structure compaction (reduced porosity) and cementation within the overburden (increased coordination number). (3) Based on slurry diffusion results, a functional relationship between slurry diffusion radius and grouting pressure is established. Error analysis shows that the modified formula improves the goodness of fit by 34–39% compared to the classical formula (Maag, cylindrical diffusion). The discrete element analysis method proposed in this study elucidates the mechanical mechanisms of overburden grouting reinforcement at the particle scale and provides theoretical support for visual evaluation of concealed structures and optimization of grouting design.
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spelling doaj-art-0e446cdf9f564e368d0c965fedb33a172025-08-20T03:36:33ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011515846410.3390/app15158464Discrete Element Analysis of Grouting Reinforcement and Slurry Diffusion in Overburden StrataPengfei Guo0Weiquan Zhao1Yahui Ma2Huiling Gen3State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaResearch on the grouting reinforcement mechanism of overburden is constrained by the concealed and heterogeneous nature of geotechnical media, posing dual challenges in theoretical analysis and process visualization. Based on discrete element numerical simulations and laboratory tests, an analytical model for grouting reinforcement in overburden layers is developed, revealing the influence of grouting pressure on slurry diffusion shape and distance. The results indicate the following: (1) Contact parameters of overburden and cement particles were obtained through laboratory tests. A grouting model for the overburden layer was established using the discrete element method. After optimizing particle coarsening and the contact model, the simulation more accurately represented slurry diffusion characteristics such as compaction, splitting, and permeability. (2) By monitoring porosity and coordination number distributions near grouting holes before and after injection using circular measurement, the discrete element simulation clearly visualizes the slurry reinforcement range. The reinforcement mechanism is attributed to the combined effects of pore structure compaction (reduced porosity) and cementation within the overburden (increased coordination number). (3) Based on slurry diffusion results, a functional relationship between slurry diffusion radius and grouting pressure is established. Error analysis shows that the modified formula improves the goodness of fit by 34–39% compared to the classical formula (Maag, cylindrical diffusion). The discrete element analysis method proposed in this study elucidates the mechanical mechanisms of overburden grouting reinforcement at the particle scale and provides theoretical support for visual evaluation of concealed structures and optimization of grouting design.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8464overburdengroutingdiscrete element methodsslurry diffusion formslurry diffusion formula
spellingShingle Pengfei Guo
Weiquan Zhao
Yahui Ma
Huiling Gen
Discrete Element Analysis of Grouting Reinforcement and Slurry Diffusion in Overburden Strata
Applied Sciences
overburden
grouting
discrete element methods
slurry diffusion form
slurry diffusion formula
title Discrete Element Analysis of Grouting Reinforcement and Slurry Diffusion in Overburden Strata
title_full Discrete Element Analysis of Grouting Reinforcement and Slurry Diffusion in Overburden Strata
title_fullStr Discrete Element Analysis of Grouting Reinforcement and Slurry Diffusion in Overburden Strata
title_full_unstemmed Discrete Element Analysis of Grouting Reinforcement and Slurry Diffusion in Overburden Strata
title_short Discrete Element Analysis of Grouting Reinforcement and Slurry Diffusion in Overburden Strata
title_sort discrete element analysis of grouting reinforcement and slurry diffusion in overburden strata
topic overburden
grouting
discrete element methods
slurry diffusion form
slurry diffusion formula
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8464
work_keys_str_mv AT pengfeiguo discreteelementanalysisofgroutingreinforcementandslurrydiffusioninoverburdenstrata
AT weiquanzhao discreteelementanalysisofgroutingreinforcementandslurrydiffusioninoverburdenstrata
AT yahuima discreteelementanalysisofgroutingreinforcementandslurrydiffusioninoverburdenstrata
AT huilinggen discreteelementanalysisofgroutingreinforcementandslurrydiffusioninoverburdenstrata