Simulation of V-tunnel test for fresh concrete on the basis of lattice Boltzmann method

The lattice Boltzmann method and Herschel-Bulkley model were combined to establish a three-dimensional simulation model of V-funnel test for fresh concrete. The variation of the flow field in V-funnel test was explored, and the method of evaluating the filling ability of concrete was optimized. The experimental results showed that the accuracy of numerical simulation of V-funnel test was high, whose error was less than 6%. Based on the V-funnel test model, the effects of rheological parameters on the test process and results were discussed and analyzed. The results demonstrated that the increase of rheological parameters prolonged the discharge time. The average velocity uV at the termination of V-funnel test was proposed as an indicator to quantitatively evaluate the filling ability, and a new method was established to qualitatively determine the shear-thickening/thinning characteristics of fresh concrete during the V-funnel test. •The three-dimensional model of the V-funnel test is successfully established based on Herschel-Bulkley model and lattice Boltzmann method with a maximum error of less than 6%.•The discharge time of the V-funnel test is prolonged as the rheological parameters increase, where the effect of the power-law index is most significant.•The evaluation indicator (discharge time, tV) in the V-funnel test is optimized, and a more perfect evaluation indicator (uV), the average velocity of the outlet in the V-funnel test, is proposed.•An evaluation method for qualitatively determining the shear-thickening/thinning characteristics of fresh concrete during the V-funnel test is developed.