Rheological Properties of Loose Sands Subjected to Upward Flow

The objective of this study was to investigate the rheological properties of loose sands subjected to upward flow by using a vane-type rheometer that controlled upward flow in the loose sand specimens. Various hydraulic gradients (i.e., i = 0–2.0) were applied to loose sands. The rheological properties of the loose sands, such as yield stress and viscosity, were determined based on the Bingham and Herschel–Bulkley models. The experimental results showed that the flow behavior of loose sand samples exhibited a shear thickening when the Herschel–Bulkley model was applied (i.e., nondimensional flow index n > 1) and exhibited a Bingham-like within a limited shear rate range (i.e., 1∼30 1/s). The latter is clearly shown for a relatively high shear rate. As the hydraulic gradient was increased, the flow characteristics were close to the Bingham fluid. Yield stress showed a tendency to decrease linearly as hydraulic gradient was increased. However, the viscosity of the loose sands maintained a constant value irr...