A mesh-free particle model for simulation of mobile-bed dam break

Mesh-free particle (Lagrangian) methods such as Moving Particle Semi-Implicit (MPS) and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) are the latest generation of methods in the field of computational fluid dynamics that attracts lots of attention in modeling applications where large interfacial deformations and fragmentations exist. Due to their mesh-free nature, these methods are capable of simulating any kind of boundary/interface deformation and fragmentations. This study aims to develop a new mesh-free particle model based on the weakly compressible MPS (WC-MPS) formulation for modeling of a dam break over a mobile bed, which is a highly erosive and transient flow problem. A multiphase model, capable of handling the density and viscosity discontinuity and in which the solid (sediment) phase is treated as a non-Newtonian fluid, is introduced. The resulting model is first validated using a two-phase dam break problem and is then applied to the mobile-bed dam break problem with different conditions, comparing the results to those obtained from some experimental works.

► A multiphase non-Newtonian mesh-free particle method has been developed for simulation of the mobile-bed dam break problem.
► The model is based on the weakly incompressible MPS (WC-MPS) formulation.
► The model is capable of handing the density and viscosity discontinuity and considers the sediment phase as a non-Newtonian fluid.
► The model is validated and applied to the mobile-bed dam break problems with different conditions.