Session: Flow Visualization and Regular Poster Session

Paper Number: 169477

169477 - Simulation Study of Water Flow Through Cracks of Various Shapes in Concrete 

Abstract: 

This project utilized the ANSYS Fluent student version to simulate water leakage through narrow cracks in a concrete slab. The results can be used to assess the durability and maintenance of infrastructure. The study focused on two key factors, crack size and shape, that influence the water penetration process. Crack sizes ranged from 0.1 cm to 0.5 cm, with increments of 0.1 cm. The shapes tested included straight-line, one-turn, two-turn, and three-turn cracks. A mesh size of 0.1 cm x 0.1 cm was selected to balance accuracy and computational efficiency. The simulation revealed that crack size has a more significant impact on the time required for water to penetrate the crack than the shape. Specifically, a reduction in crack size from 0.5 cm to 0.1 cm resulted in a 40% increase in the time needed for water penetration. Additionally, the time required increases exponentially as the crack size decreases. The simulation also found that the time needed for water to penetrate a crack with three turns was 5% longer compared to a straight-line crack. This time increased linearly with the number of turns. Non-linear flow behavior was observed, including jet-formation and separation from the crack's sidewall. This phenomenon was more pronounced with larger crack sizes and at the turning points of the crack. Future work will compare these simulation results with controlled experiments involving water penetration through a concrete slab. This comparison will help refine the simulation method and boundary conditions, allowing for more accurate predictions that can guide real-world infrastructure projects and applications.

Presenting Author: Heather Ji Round Rock High School

Presenting Author Biography: