Fluid flow process in soil using a three-dimensional channel formation model

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15082
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 22030:Geotechnical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Kengo 東北大学, 環境科学研究科, 助教 (30757589)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 土壌 / 卓越流路 / 可視化 / 孔隙構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we visualized the pore structure of real environments (disturbed and undisturbed soils) by　establishing a flow channel formation model that can accommodate soil heterogeneity. The flow paths in the soil were predicted for permeability from fluid flow simulations. We then evaluated the permeability in the real environment, which is the true value, and discussed the dominant factors of pore structure and fluid flow characteristics in the soil. Based on the results of various tests, an excellence channel is formed according to the flow path in the soil. It was also suggested that the leaching process of the constituents in the soil changes significantly depending on the shape of the formed excellence flow paths.

Free Research Field

地盤工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、地盤環境中の流れを可視化し、卓越流路形成プロセスについて議論を行った。地盤環境中では、地下水の流れ、雨水の浸透などの土壌間隙水の流れなど様々な流れのが生じる。この流れを可視化し、形成プロセスを議論することで、見ることのできない地下の環境の移送を予測することが可能となる。また、汚染源より流入した汚染物質の土壌や地下水を経由して様々な環境を汚染する可能性がある。この卓越流路の可視化により、人への摂取プロセスを詳細に予測することが可能となり、環境リスクへの適切な対応が可能となる。