Single vs multi parameter calibration for the numerical simulation of submerged flows in jet grouting applications

The numerical simulation of the diffusion of turbulent submerged flows contributes to understand the fundamental mechanisms of the jet grouting technology for a more efficient use of it. In fact, the erosive efficiency of the jet, and, consequently, the dimensions of columns strongly depend on the jet propagation modalities and the energy exchange between injected and surrounding fluids. Even though the mathematical basis of turbulence models are well established, their use requires dimensionless constants to be calibrated. In a previous study a numerical model was presented to simulate the turbulent diffusion of submerged jets. It was calibrated with literature experimental data, varying a single parameter and assuming the other ones as constant. In this work a multi-parameter calibration was carried out varying all the parameters. The numerical results obtained with both calibrations were compared with the experimental data to evaluate the best solution in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency. © 2015, North Atlantic University Union. All rights reserved.