Avoid Tunnel Collapses: DEM-CFD for Predicting Water and Mud Inrush
- VirtualCAE
- 25/11/2025
- Blog
- CFD, DEM, EDEM, English, Simulação Virtual
- 0 Comentários
How particle–fluid interaction modeling enhances prediction of critical instabilities in underground excavation
Tunnel excavation in mountainous regions or geologically fractured zones presents significant risks, especially during water and mud inrush events. These sudden inflows of fluid and unconsolidated material can lead to instability, structural collapse and extended construction delays.
In this context, the Discrete Element Method combined with Computational Fluid Dynamics emerges as a powerful tool to analyze the interaction between granular materials and fluid flow. The study presented here uses Altair EDEM coupled with a CFD solver to investigate in detail the mechanisms driving inrush at the Yonglian Tunnel.
The selected case included a permeable fault linked to a fractured rock layer and filled with cohesive and granular materials. The hybrid DEM-CFD approach enabled accurate representation of particle movement and pressurized groundwater flow. The model incorporated friction, cohesion, particle breakage and different infiltration regimes.
Calibration was performed using laboratory tests and field data collected in the tunnel. The simulations explored variations in permeability, groundwater pressure and infiltration velocity. The results showed that the fault acts as a preferential channel for inrush propagation, accelerating particle mobilization as water pressure increases. The numerical model consistently reproduced the flow patterns, mass instability and critical failure zones observed in the real Yonglian event.
The study also demonstrated that DEM-CFD captures non-linear solid–fluid mixing phenomena that continuous models cannot represent. This provides engineers with advanced insight for developing effective support and drainage strategies.
The analysis concluded that DEM-CFD modeling is an effective approach for predicting inrush hazards, evaluating operational scenarios and improving safety in tunnels exposed to high pressure and unconsolidated ground. Tools such as Altair EDEM enable the creation of integrated digital models that combine material behavior, fluid dynamics and structural stability, enhancing reliability in underground engineering.
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