An Integrated DEM–FEM Simulation Framework for Preferential Flow Path Evaluation in Waste Landfill Composed of Non-Spherical Particles
A numerical experimental method combining the discrete element method (DEM) and the finite element method (FEM) is proposed to analyze water channel flow in heterogeneous porous media such as landfill layers. In this study, non-spherical particles —thin plates and rods—are introduced into DEM-FEM co...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Hiroyuki Ishimori Kazuto Endo Masato Yamada |
| author_facet | Hiroyuki Ishimori Kazuto Endo Masato Yamada |
| author_sort | Hiroyuki Ishimori |
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| description | A numerical experimental method combining the discrete element method (DEM) and the finite element method (FEM) is proposed to analyze water channel flow in heterogeneous porous media such as landfill layers. In this study, non-spherical particles —thin plates and rods—are introduced into DEM-FEM coupling for the first time, which allows for the virtual reconstruction of complex pore structures beyond the capability of traditional experimental approaches, such as soil tanks or X-ray CT. Fluid flow simulations performed on three types of virtual porous media showed that only the case with non-spherical particles generated water channels. Tortuosity analysis was used to quantify the complexity of the flow paths and showed median values of 1.258 and 1.218 for homogeneous and particle size-distributed cases, respectively. In contrast, the case simulating waste media had a significantly lower median tortuosity of 1.051, with a skewed distribution toward shorter paths, indicating dominant water channels. This shift in tortuosity, coupled with higher variance, serves as quantitative evidence of water channel formation. The results demonstrate that tortuosity analysis complements streamline visualization and provides a reliable means to detect and compare water channel flow behavior. The proposed DEM-FEM framework enables both qualitative and quantitative understanding of flow dynamics in large-scale, highly heterogeneous porous systems and is expected to support further research and practical design in landfill and drainage engineering. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cfc9a2ff88f640fb8952b410ea8417bd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-cfc9a2ff88f640fb8952b410ea8417bd2025-08-20T03:46:50ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511579810.3390/app15115798An Integrated DEM–FEM Simulation Framework for Preferential Flow Path Evaluation in Waste Landfill Composed of Non-Spherical ParticlesHiroyuki Ishimori0Kazuto Endo1Masato Yamada2Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba 305-8506, JapanFukushima Regional Collaborative Research Center, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 10-2 Fukasaku, Miharu, Fukushima 963-7700, JapanMaterial Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba 305-8506, JapanA numerical experimental method combining the discrete element method (DEM) and the finite element method (FEM) is proposed to analyze water channel flow in heterogeneous porous media such as landfill layers. In this study, non-spherical particles —thin plates and rods—are introduced into DEM-FEM coupling for the first time, which allows for the virtual reconstruction of complex pore structures beyond the capability of traditional experimental approaches, such as soil tanks or X-ray CT. Fluid flow simulations performed on three types of virtual porous media showed that only the case with non-spherical particles generated water channels. Tortuosity analysis was used to quantify the complexity of the flow paths and showed median values of 1.258 and 1.218 for homogeneous and particle size-distributed cases, respectively. In contrast, the case simulating waste media had a significantly lower median tortuosity of 1.051, with a skewed distribution toward shorter paths, indicating dominant water channels. This shift in tortuosity, coupled with higher variance, serves as quantitative evidence of water channel formation. The results demonstrate that tortuosity analysis complements streamline visualization and provides a reliable means to detect and compare water channel flow behavior. The proposed DEM-FEM framework enables both qualitative and quantitative understanding of flow dynamics in large-scale, highly heterogeneous porous systems and is expected to support further research and practical design in landfill and drainage engineering.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5798waste landfillwater channel flownumerical experimentdiscrete element methodfinite element method |
| spellingShingle | Hiroyuki Ishimori Kazuto Endo Masato Yamada An Integrated DEM–FEM Simulation Framework for Preferential Flow Path Evaluation in Waste Landfill Composed of Non-Spherical Particles Applied Sciences waste landfill water channel flow numerical experiment discrete element method finite element method |
| title | An Integrated DEM–FEM Simulation Framework for Preferential Flow Path Evaluation in Waste Landfill Composed of Non-Spherical Particles |
| title_full | An Integrated DEM–FEM Simulation Framework for Preferential Flow Path Evaluation in Waste Landfill Composed of Non-Spherical Particles |
| title_fullStr | An Integrated DEM–FEM Simulation Framework for Preferential Flow Path Evaluation in Waste Landfill Composed of Non-Spherical Particles |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Integrated DEM–FEM Simulation Framework for Preferential Flow Path Evaluation in Waste Landfill Composed of Non-Spherical Particles |
| title_short | An Integrated DEM–FEM Simulation Framework for Preferential Flow Path Evaluation in Waste Landfill Composed of Non-Spherical Particles |
| title_sort | integrated dem fem simulation framework for preferential flow path evaluation in waste landfill composed of non spherical particles |
| topic | waste landfill water channel flow numerical experiment discrete element method finite element method |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5798 |
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