Calculating the Binary Tortuosity in DEM-Generated Granular Beds

In this paper, a methodology of calculating the tortuosity in three-dimensional granular beds saved in a form of binary geometry with the application of the A-Star Algorithm and the Path Searching Algorithm is presented. The virtual beds serving as examples are prepared with the use of the Discrete Element Method based on data of real, existing samples. The obtained results are compared with the results described in other papers (obtained by the use of the Lattice Boltzmann Method and the Path Tracking Method) as well as with the selected empirical formulas found in the literature. It was stated in the paper that the A-Star Algorithm gives values similar (but always slightly underestimated) to the values obtained via approaches based on the Lattice Boltzmann Method or the Path Tracking Method. In turn, the Path Searching Algorithm gives results in the same value range as popular empirical formulas and additionally it is approximately two times faster than the A-Star Algorithm.