Concrete pumping is widely utilized in various engineering projects for its high efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, adverse flow issues such as stratification, segregation and pipe blockage during the pumping process have not been fully resolved. Due to the complex multi-phase and multi-component nature of concrete, its dynamic rheological behavior is difficult to characterize accurately using traditional empirical formulas and experimental methods. Furthermore, the quantitative relationship between rheological parameters and pumpability is hard to establish. To address these limitations, numerical simulation is regarded as an effective alternative. Three categories of numerical simulation methods for concrete pumping behavior—the continuum approach, the discrete element method, and multi-physics coupling were systematically reviewed. Their respective advantages, limitations, and application scopes were compared. It is observed that the continuum approach is characterized by efficient prediction of macro-engineering parameters, while the discrete element method is preferred for parsing micro-scale particle mechanisms. Additionally, fluid-structure interactions and other complex phenomena can be more realistically reproduced through multi-physics coupling. Recent research progress regarding lubrication layer characteristics, pumping pressure loss, pipeline wear, and concrete segregation was summarized and reviewed. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of numerical methods in theoretical model construction, computational efficiency, and application expansion were discussed.
LI Fei, MA Wan-ying, CHENG Guan-zhi, GUAN Wen-xun, WU Rui-dong, LI Shi-da, LI Da-lin.
Research Progress on Numerical Simulation of Concrete Pumping Process[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(28): 11997-12010 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2508024
随着计算机技术的发展,数值模拟方法逐渐成为研究混凝土流动行为及泵送过程的重要工具[20-21]。早在20世纪80年代,Komura等[22]首次使用有限元程序模拟混凝土的流动过程。2014年,国际材料与结构研究实验联合会(International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures,RILEM)技术委员会专门发布了新拌混凝土数值模拟领域的主题报告,系统总结了相关进展[23]。新拌混凝土作为一种复杂的多相材料,具有多尺度层次特征,在流动过程中受到颗粒尺寸分布、配合比、外力条件等多种因素的影响,表现出典型的非牛顿流体特性[24-25]。目前尚难以完全捕获新拌混凝土流动过程中的所有细节,也难以通过计算完整描述水、水泥、骨料等各相与颗粒的动态特征与相互作用[26]。因此,在模拟研究中需依据研究目的合理考虑尺度效应,选择适宜的简化模型与方法,以有效评估和预测混凝土可泵性。
离散元法(discrete element method,DEM)是将混凝土颗粒视为离散个体,如图2[36]所示,通过计算颗粒间相互作用来模拟泵送过程[36]。在DEM中,每个颗粒被赋予质量、速度、位置等物理属性,颗粒之间通过接触力、摩擦力、黏结力等相互作用,基于牛顿第二定律和扭矩方程运动[37-40]。颗粒的位移方程用于描述颗粒所受体力与接触力等构成的合外力对其加速度及速度的影响;转动方程则用于刻画颗粒在外力矩作用下的转动行为。颗粒的控制方程如下。
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