Preferential flow pathways in a deforming granular material: self-organization into functional groups for optimized global transport.

ABSTRACT: Existing definitions of where and why preferential flow in porous media occurs, or will occur, assume a priori knowledge of the fluid flow and do not fully account for the connectivity of available flow paths in the system. Here we propose a method for identifying preferential pathways through a flow network, given its topology and finite link capacities. Using data from a deforming granular medium, we show that the preferential pathways form a set of percolating pathways that is optimized for global transport of interstitial pore fluid in alignment with the applied pressure gradient. Two functional subgroups emerge. The primary subgroup comprises the main arterial paths that transmit the greatest flow through shortest possible routes. The secondary subgroup comprises inter- and intra-conn

SUBMITTER: van der Linden JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6890641 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature