Thixotropy is the characteristic of a fluid to form a gelled structure over time when it is not subjected to shearing, and to liquefy when agitated. Thixotropic fluids are commonly used in the construction industry e.g., liquid concrete and drilling fluids, and related applications include some forms of mud flows and debris flows. This video describes a basic experimental study of dam break wave with some thixotropic fluid (bentonite suspensions) down a 15 degree channel [1,2,3].

After a brief introduction, the video presents 4 tests. The last 3 tests illustrate the effects of the rest time on the fluid propagation down the slope.

The work was conducted at the Laboratory of Materials and Structures in Civil Engineering LMSGC (France.).

References

[1] CHANSON, H., JARNY, S., and COUSSOT, P. (2006). "Dam Break Wave of Thixotropic Fluid." Jl of Hyd. Engrg., ASCE, Vol. 132, No. 3, pp. 280-293 (ISSN 0733-9429). {http://eprint.uq.edu.au/archive/00003571/}

[2] CHANSON, H. JARNY, S., TOCQUER, L., and COUSSOT, P. (2004). "An Experimental Study of Sudden Release of Bentonite Suspensions down an Inclined Chute." Proc. 15th Australasian Fluid Mech. Conf., AFMC, Sydney, Australia, M. BEHNIA, W. LIN & G.D. McBAIN Ed., Paper AFMC00252, 4 pages (CD-ROM) (ISBN 1-864-87695-6). {http://eprint.uq.edu.au/archive/00002494/}

[3] CHANSON, H., COUSSOT, P., JARNY, S., and TOQUER, L. (2004). "A Study of Dam Break Wave of Thixotropic Fluid: Bentonite Surges down an Inclined Plane." Report No. CH54/04, Dept. of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, June, 90 pages (ISBN 1864997710). {http://eprint.uq.edu.au/archive/00002486/}