Numerical simulations of dense granular suspensions in laminar flow under constant and varying shear rates

• Published in: Computers & fluids 2021-11, Vol.230, p.105115, Article 105115
• Main Authors: Srinivasan, Sudharsan, Van den Akker, Harry E.A., Shardt, Orest
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fluid flow; Immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method; Laminar flow; Lubrication; Reynolds number; Rheology; Shear rate; Shear reversal; Shear stress; Shear thickening (liquids); Shear thinning (liquids); Simulation; Suspensions; Thickening; Time-varying shear; Viscosity
• ISSN: 0045-7930; 1879-0747
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compfluid.2021.105115

Using an immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method, we investigated the response of dense granular suspensions to time-varying shear rates and flow reversals. The evolution of the relative apparent viscosity and particle structures was analysed. The concentration of solids (ϕv) and particle Reynolds numbers (Rep) were varied over the ranges 6%≤ϕv≤47% and 0.105≤Rep≤0.529. The simulations included sub-grid scale corrections for unresolved lubrication forces and torques (normal and tangential). When ϕv surpasses 30%, the contribution of the tangential lubrication corrections to the shear stress is dominant. While for intermediate solids fractions we find weak shear-thinning, we see weak shear-thickening for ϕv>40%. We show how the structure and apparent viscosity of a suspension evolves after a reversal of the shear direction. For 47% solids, simulations with step changes in the shear rate show the effects of the previous shear history on the viscosity of the suspension. •Numerical simulations of granular suspensions exhibit weak shear-thickening.•The contribution of tangential lubrication stress is substantial.•Temporal evolution of the viscosity and structures follow similar dynamics.•Memory effects of both the interstitial liquid and structures affect the viscosity.