Droplets splashing upon films of the same fluid of various depths

We explore the effects of fluid films of variable depths on droplets impacting into them. Corresponding to a range of fluid “film” depths, a non-dimensional parameter—H*, defined as the ratio of the film thickness to the droplet diameter—is varied in the range 0.1≤H*≤10. In general, the effect of the fluid film imposes a dramatic difference on the dynamics of the droplet–surface interaction when compared to a similar impact on a dry surface. This is illustrated by the size distribution and number of the splash products. While thin fluid films (H*≈0.1) promote splashing, thicker films (1≤H*≤10) act to inhibit it. The relative roles of surface tension and viscosity are investigated by comparison of a matrix of fluids with low and high values of these properties. Impingement conditions, as characterized by Reynolds and Weber numbers, are varied by velocity over a range from 1.34 to 4.22 m/s, maintaining a constant droplet diameter of 2.0 mm. The dependence of splashing dynamics, characterized by splash product size and number, on the fluid surface tension and viscosity and film thickness are discussed.     

Basic features of the time finite element approach for dynamics

Very general weak forms may be developed for dynamic systems, the most general being analogous to a Hu-Washizu three-field formulation, thus paralleling well-established weak methods of solid mechanics. In this work two different formulations are developed: a pure displacement formulation and a two-field mixed formulation. With the objective of developing a thorough understanding of the peculiar features of finite elements in time, the relevant methodologies associated with this approach for dynamics are extensively discussed. After having laid the theoretical bases, the finite element approximation and the linearization of the resulting forms are developed, together with a method for the treatment of holonomic and nonholonomic constraints, thus widening the horizons of applicability over the vast world of multibody system dynamics. With the purpose of enlightening on the peculiar numerical behavior of the different approaches, simple but meaningful examples are illustrated. To this aim, significant parallels with elastostatics are emphasized. Paper presented at the ‘International Technical Specialists' Meeting on Rotorcraft Basic Research’, March 25–27, 1991, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.     

Reynolds Number Effects on the Coherent Dynamics of the Turbulent Horseshoe Vortex System

The adverse pressure gradient induced by a surface-mounted obstacle in a turbulent boundary layer causes the approaching flow to separate and form a dynamically rich horseshoe vortex system (HSV) in the junction of the obstacle with the wall. The Reynolds number of the flow (Re) is one of the important parameters that control the rich coherent dynamics of the vortex, which are known to give rise to low-frequency, bimodal fluctuations of the velocity field (Devenport and Simpson, J Fluid Mech 210:23–55, 1990; Paik et al., Phys Fluids 19:045107, 2007). We carry out detached eddy simulations (DES) of the flow past a circular cylinder mounted on a rectangular channel for Re = 2.0 × 10⁴ and 3.9 × 10⁴ (Dargahi, Exp Fluids 8:1–12, 1989) in order to systematically investigate the effect of the Reynolds number on the HSV dynamics. The computed results are compared with each other and with previous experimental and computational results for a related junction flow at a much higher Reynolds number (Re = 1.15 × 10⁵) (Devenport and Simpson, J Fluid Mech 210:23–55, 1990; Paik et al., Phys Fluids 19:045107, 2007). The computed results reveal significant variations with Re in terms of the mean-flow quantities, turbulence statistics, and the coherent dynamics of the turbulent HSV. For Re = 2.0 × 10⁴ the HSV system consists of a large number of necklace-type vortices that are shed periodically at higher frequencies than those observed in the Re = 3.9 × 10⁴ case. For this latter case the number of large-scale vortical structures that comprise the instantaneous HSV system is reduced significantly and the flow dynamics becomes quasi-periodic. For both cases, we show that the instantaneous flowfields are dominated by eruptions of wall-generated vorticity associated with the growth of hairpin vortices that wrap around and disorganize the primary HSV system. The intensity and frequency of these eruptions, however, appears to diminish rapidly with decreasing Re. In the high Re case the HSV system consists of a single, highly energetic, large-scale necklace vortex that is aperiodically disorganized by the growth of the hairpin mode. Regardless of the Re, we find pockets in the junction region within which the histograms of velocity fluctuations are bimodal as has also been observed in several previous experimental studies.     

Convergence of a Time‐Stepping Scheme for Rigid‐Body Dynamics and Resolution of Painlevé's Problem

This paper gives convergence theory for a new implicit time‐stepping scheme for general rigid‐body dynamics with Coulomb friction and purely inelastic collisions and shocks. An important consequence of this work is the proof of existence of solutions of rigid‐body problems which include the famous counterexamples of Painlevé. The mathematical basis for this work is the formulation of the rigid‐body problem in terms of measure differential inclusions of Moreau and Monteiro Marques. The implicit time‐stepping method is based on complementarity problems, and is essentially a particular case of the algorithm described in Anitescu & Potra [2], which in turn is based on the formulation in Stewart & Trinkle [47]. (Accepted January 26, 1998)     

Effect of the Source Term on Steady Free Convection Boundary Layer Flows over an Vertical Plate in a Porous Medium. Part I

The Darcy free convection boundary layer flow over a vertical flat plate is considered in the presence of volumetric heat generation/absorption. In the present first part of the paper it is assumed that the heat generation/absorption takes place in a self-consistent way, the source term q ^′′′≡ S of the energy equation being an analytical function of the local temperature difference T − T _∞. In a forthcoming second part, the case of the externally controlled source terms S = S(x,y ) will be considered. It is shown that due to the presence of S, the physical equivalence of the up- and downflows gets in general broken, in the sense that the free convection flow over the upward projecting hot plate (“upflow”) and over its downward projecting cold counterpart (“downflow”) in general become physically distinct. The consequences of this circumstance are examined for different forms of S. Several analytical solutions are given. Some of them describe algebraically decaying boundary layers which can also be recovered as limiting cases of exponentially decayingones. This asymptotic phenomenon is discussed in some detail.     

Finite Dimensional Global Attractor for 3D MHD-α Models: A Comparison

We consider two magnetohydrodynamic-α (MHDα) models with kinematic viscosity and magnetic diffusivity for an incompressible fluid in a three-dimensional periodic box (torus). More precisely, we consider the Navier–Stokes-α-MHD and the Modified Leray-α-MHD models. Similar models are useful to study the turbulent behavior of fluids in presence of a magnetic field because of the current impossibility to handle non-regularized systems neither analytically nor via numerical simulations. In both cases, the global existence of the solution and of a global attractor can be shown. We provide an upper bound for the Hausdorff and the fractal dimension of the attractor. This bound can be interpreted in terms of degrees of freedom of the long-time dynamics of the involved system and gives information about the numerical stability of the model. We get the same bound that holds for the Simplified Bardina-MHD model, considered in a previous paper (this result provides, in some sense, an intermediate bound between the number of degrees of freedom for the Simplified Bardina model and the Navier–Stokes-α equation in the nonmagnetic case). However, the Navier–Stokes-α-MHD system is preferable since, in the ideal case, it conserves more quadratic invariants derived from the standard MHD model.     

Single Fiber Transport in a Fracture Slit: Influence of the Wall Roughness and of the Fiber Flexibility

The transport of fibers by a fluid flow is investigated in transparent channels modeling rock fractures: the experiments use flexible polyester thread (mean diameter 280 μm) and water or a water–polymer solution. For a channel with smooth parallel walls and a mean aperture ā = 0.65 mm, both fiber segments of length ℓ = 20–150 mm and “continuous” fibers longer than the channel length have been used: in both the cases, the velocity of the fibers and its variation with distance could be accounted for while neglecting friction with the walls. For rough self-affine walls and a continuous gradient of the local mean aperture transverse to the flow, transport of the fibers by a water flow is only possible in the region of larger aperture (ā ≲ 1.1 mm) and is of “stop and go” type at low velocities. With the polymer solution, the fibers move faster and more continuously in high aperture regions and their interaction with the walls is reduced; fiber transport becomes also possible in narrower regions where irreversible pinning occurred for water. In a third rough model with parallel walls and a low mean aperture ā = 0.65 mm, fiber transport is only possible with the water–polymer solution. The dynamics of fiber deformations and entanglement during pinning–depinning events and permanent pinning is analyzed.     

Non-linear dynamics of semi-dilute polydisperse polymer solutions in microfluidics: effects of flow geometry

The non-linear dynamics of a semi-dilute (c/c* = 15) polydisperse polyethylene oxide (PEO) solution in microfluidics are studied experimentally using benchmark contraction–expansion flow geometries with three contraction–expansion ratios (4:1:4, 8:1:8 and 16:1:16) and two narrow channel lengths (L _c/D _h = 53 and 5.3, where L _c is the length of the narrow channel and D _h is its hydraulic diameter). Complex flows over a range of elasticity numbers (El), Weissenberg numbers (Wi) and Reynolds numbers (Re) are characterized using micro-particle image velocimetry ( \upmu\upmu-PIV) and pressure drop measurements. The evolution of vortex formation and dynamics has been visualized through a step-flow-rate experiment. Various flow dynamics regimes have been quantified and are presented in a Wi–Re diagram. The experimental results reveal that the contraction ratio can result in qualitatively different vortex dynamics of semi-dilute polymer solutions in microfluidics, whereas the length of the narrow channel merely affects the dynamics at a quantitative level. A single elasticity number, if defined by the size of the narrow channel, is not sufficient to account for the effects of contraction ratio on the non-linear vortex dynamics.     

Compressible, viscous fluid dynamics (review). Part 1

The article is the first part of a survey of problems in compressible, viscous fluid dynamics as related to the dynamics of rigid and elastic bodies in a compressible, viscous fluid in the linearized formulation. The formulation of basic problems is discussed, along with a method of solution based on general solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations in vector and scalar form in dynamical problems. Forced harmonic vibrations of rigid bodies in rest and moving compressible, viscous fluids are discussed. Publications relevant to the stated problems are analyzed. S. P. Timoshenko Institute of Mechanics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 25–52, January, 2000. Detailed information about the author can be found in the journalPrikladnaya Mekhanika, Volume 35, No. 1, pp. 104–108 (1999).     

Non-Darcy buoyancy driven flows in a fluid saturated porous medium: the use of asymptotic computational fluid dynamics (ACFD) approach

Natural convection in a fluid saturated porous medium has been numerically investigated using a generalized non-Darcy approach. The governing equations are solved by using Finite Volume approach. First order upwind scheme is employed for convective formulation and SIMPLE algorithm for pressure velocity coupling. Numerical results are presented to study the influence of parameters such as Rayleigh number (10⁶ ≤Ra ≤10⁸), Darcy number (10⁻⁵ ≤ Da ≤ 10⁻²), porosity (0.4 ≤ ɛ ≤ 0.9) and Prandtl number (0.01 ≤ Pr ≤ 10) on the flow behavior and heat transfer. By combining the method of matched asymptotic expansions with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), so called asymptotic computational fluid dynamics (ACFD) technique has been employed to generate correlation for average Nusselt number. The technique is found to be an attractive option for generating correlation and also in the analysis of natural convection in porous medium over a fairly wide range of parameters with fewer simulations for numerical solutions.     

Long-term aging effects on the rheology of neat laponite and laponite–PEO dispersions

We observe aging behavior of neat laponite systems over the course of 1,000 or more days. Under basic conditions, low laponite concentrations (1 wt%) slowly evolve from a viscoelastic liquid to a glass made of clusters acting as constituent elements interacting via long-range repulsion. Higher concentrations of laponite (3 wt%) quickly form a glass of individual particles. Intermediate concentrations of laponite form a glass that is a combination of clusters and individual particles. The aging rheological response and upturn of the loss modulus at low frequencies are well predicted by models of soft glassy systems (Fielding et al., J Rheol, 44(2):323–369, 2000; Sollich, Phys Rev E, 58(1):738–759, 1998). If low amounts of high-molecular-weight (M _n ≥ 163 kg/mol) poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) are added, the aging behavior follows the dynamical response of the clay. Above a critical ratio, φ, of the free polymer chains in solution to the total laponite surface area, the PEO dynamics dominate at high frequencies. It appears that the dynamics of these complex laponite-PEO systems are governed by the parameter φ.     

Convergence of Nonlocal Threshold Dynamics Approximations to Front Propagation

In this note we prove that appropriately scaled threshold dynamics-type algorithms corresponding to the fractional Laplacian of order α ∈ (0, 2) converge to moving fronts. When α ≧ 1 the resulting interface moves by weighted mean curvature, while for α < 1 the normal velocity is nonlocal of “fractional-type.” The results easily extend to general nonlocal anisotropic threshold dynamics schemes.     

Time evolution of structures in rotating and stratified turbulence

Rotating and stably stratified turbulence exhibit not only significant anisotropies but also dynamics, which are qualitatively different from purely rotating or stratified turbulence. Furthermore, the different time scales due to rotation, stratification and the turbulence one open up a wide field of possibilities for the temporal evolution of rotating and stratified turbulence.We analyze results from DNS with different parameters α = f/N by visualizing iso-enstrophy surfaces, the temporal evolution of velocity correlation length scales and angular energy spectra.We retrieve standard results, such as a large anisotropy for small scales in rotating turbulence and a large anisotropy for intermediate scales in the vortex mode of stratified turbulence. Furthermore, at large times we find qualitatively different phenomena for cases α = 10 and α = 0.1 such as modified cascades due to the existence of potential energy or small scale vorticity production respectively.     

Soliton dynamics and interaction in the Bose–Einstein condensates with harmonic trapping potential and time-varying interatomic interaction

Investigated in this paper is the quasi-one-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation, which describes the dynamics of the Bose–Einstein condensates with the harmonic trapping potential and time-varying interatomic interaction. Via the Horita method and symbolic computation, analytic bright N-soliton solution is obtained. One-, two- and three-soliton solutions are analyzed graphically. Based on the limit analysis on the one- and two-soliton solutions, the modulation on the speed of the matter-wave bright solitons is realized. Via the parameters, the interaction between the matter-wave solitons are adjustable. Furthermore, an approach to construct the interference between the matter-wave solitons has been proposed. Finally, investigation on the three-soliton solution verifies our conclusions drawn from the one and two solitons. Our conclusions might be useful in the fields of the control on the matter-wave solitons, atom lasers, and atomic accelerators.     

Thermal convection in a porous layer: Effects of anisotropy and surface boundary conditions

The theory describing the onset of convection in a homogeneous porous layer bounded above and below by isothermal surfaces is extended to consider an upper boundary which is partly permeable. The general boundary condition p + λ ∂p/∂n = constant is applied at the top surface and the flow is investigated for various λ in the range 0 ⩽ λ < ∞. Estimates of the magnitude and horizontal distribution of the vertical mass and heat fluxes at the surface, the horizontally-averaged heat flux (Nusselt number) and the fraction of the fluid which recirculates within the layer are found for slightly supercritical conditions. Comparisons are made with the two limiting cases λ → ∞, where the surface is completely impermeable, and λ = 0, where the surface is at constant pressure. Also studied are the effects of anisotropy in permeability, ξ = K _H /K _V , and anisotropy is thermal conductivity, η = k _H /k _V , both parameters being ratios of horizontal to vertical quantities. Quantitative results are given for a wide variety of the parameters λ, ξ and η. In the limit ξ/η → 0 there is no recirculation, all fluid being converted out of the top surface, while in the limit ξ/η → ∞ there is full recirculation.     

The Incompressible Limit of the Non-Isentropic Euler Equations

We study the Euler equations for slightly compressible fluids, that is, after rescaling, the limits of the Euler equations of fluid dynamics as the Mach number tends to zero. In this paper, we consider the general non-isentropic equations and general data. We first prove the existence of classical solutions for a time independent of the small parameter. Then, on the whole space ℝ ^d , we prove that the solution converges to the solution of the incompressible Euler equations. Accepted December 1, 2000?Published online April 23, 2001     

On the unsteady rotational flow of a generalized Maxwell fluid through a circular cylinder

In this paper, the velocity field and the associated tangential stress corresponding to the rotational flow of a generalized Maxwell fluid within an infinite circular cylinder are determined by means of the Laplace and finite Hankel transforms. Initially, the fluid is at rest, and the motion is produced by the rotation of the cylinder about its axis with a unsteady angular velocity. The solutions that have been obtained are presented under series form in terms of the generalized G _a,b,c (, t)-functions. The similar solutions for the ordinary Maxwell and Newtonian fluids, performing the same motion, are obtained as special cases, when β → 1, respectively β → 1 and λ → 0, from general solutions. Finally, the solutions that have been obtained are compared by graphical illustrations, and the influence of the pertinent parameters on the fluid motion is also underlined by graphical illustrations.     

Scaling law in saddle-node bifurcations for one-dimensional maps: a complex variable approach

The study of transient dynamical phenomena near bifurcation thresholds has attracted the interest of many researchers due to the relevance of bifurcations in different physical or biological systems. In the context of saddle-node bifurcations, where two or more fixed points collide annihilating each other, it is known that the dynamics can suffer the so-called delayed transition. This phenomenon emerges when the system spends a lot of time before reaching the remaining stable equilibrium, found after the bifurcation, because of the presence of a saddle-remnant in phase space. Some works have analytically tackled this phenomenon, especially in time-continuous dynamical systems, showing that the time delay, τ, scales according to an inverse square-root power law, τ∼(μ−μ _c )^−1/2, as the bifurcation parameter μ, is driven further away from its critical value, μ _c . In this work, we first characterize analytically this scaling law using complex variable techniques for a family of one-dimensional maps, called the normal form for the saddle-node bifurcation. We then apply our general analytic results to a single-species ecological model with harvesting given by a unimodal map, characterizing the delayed transition and the scaling law arising due to the constant of harvesting. For both analyzed systems, we show that the numerical results are in perfect agreement with the analytical solutions we are providing. The procedure presented in this work can be used to characterize the scaling laws of one-dimensional discrete dynamical systems with saddle-node bifurcations.     

Existence Theory for Hyperbolic Systems of Conservation Laws with General Flux-Functions

c ). To begin with, we assume that the flux-function f(u) is piecewise genuinely nonlinear, in the sense that it exhibits finitely many (at most p, say) points of lack of genuine nonlinearity along each wave curve. Importantly, our analysis applies to arbitrary large p, in the sense that the constant c restricting the total variation is independent of p. Second, by an approximation argument, we prove that the existence theory above extends to general flux-functions f(u) that can be approached by a sequence of piecewise genuinely nonlinear flux-functions f ^ε(u). The main contribution in this paper is the derivation of uniform estimates for the wave curves and wave interactions (which are entirely independent of the properties of the flux-function) together with a new wave interaction potential which is decreasing in time and is a fully local functional depending upon the angle made by any two propagating discontinuities. Our existence theory applies, for instance, to the p-system of gas dynamics for general pressure-laws p=p(v) satisfying solely the hyperbolicity condition p′(v)<0 but no convexity assumption. (Accepted December 30, 2002) Published online April 23, 2003 Communicated by C. M. Dafermos