A Particle-Scale Model to Simulate Soil/Regolith Erosion

We have assembled a 2D model to study the dynamics of eolian soil entrainment at the particle scale. This model couples a lattice-Boltzmann computational fluid model with a discrete element model (DEM) to represent individual particles. Grains are entrained into the fluid flow by the computed aerodynamic forces and grain-grain collisional forces. The coupling was implemented using an immersed boundary condition to calculate the fluid forces on grains, and vice versa. The computational model uses a large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence closure model to allow simulations of relatively high Reynolds number, subsonic flows. This model is used to simulate two conditions: flow parallel to the bed, and a planar jet impinging the bed. Results from both of these cases are presented along with comparisons to experimental data and observations.