Title
Centrifuge modeling of LNAPL transport in partially saturated sand
Author
Esposito, G.
Allersma, H.G.B.
Selvadurai, A.P.S.
Instituut voor Bouwmaterialen en Bouwconstructies TNO
Publication year
1999
Abstract
Model tests were performed at the Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility of Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, to examine the mechanics of light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) movement in a partially saturated porous granular medium. The experiment simulated a 2D spill of LNAPL in an unsaturated sand prepared at two values of porosity. The duration of the centrifuge model tests corresponded to a prototype equivalent of 110 days. The choice of modeling a 2D flow together with the use of a transparent container enabled direct visual observation of the experiments. Scaling laws developed in connection with other centrifuge modeling studies were used to support the test results. Tests were conducted at two different centrifuge accelerations to verify, by means of the 'modeling of models technique,' the similitude between the different experiments. The paper presents details of the experimental methodologies and the measuring techniques used to evaluate the final distribution of water and LNAPL content in the soils.
Subject
Energy
Centrifuges
Environmental protection
Mathematical models
Porous materials
Sand
Nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPL)
Partially saturated sand
Geotechnical engineering
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:00bc43e5-5c95-43cd-a017-e43b9077a575
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)1090-0241(1999)125:12(1066)
TNO identifier
235308
Publisher
ASCE, Reston, VA, US
ISSN
1090-0241
Source
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 125 (12), 1066-1071
Document type
article