Approximate solutions of the Alekseevskii–Tate model of long-rod penetration

The Alekseevskii–Tate model is the most successful semi-hydrodynamic model applied to long-rod penetration into semi-infinite targets. However, due to the nonlinear nature of the equations, the rod(tail) velocity, penetration velocity, rod length, and penetration depth were obtained implicitly as a function of time and solved numerically By employing a linear approximation to the logarithmic relative rod length, we obtain two sets of explicit approximate algebraic solutions based on the implicit theoretica solution deduced from primitive equations. It is very convenient in the theoretical prediction of the Alekseevskii–Tate model to apply these simple algebraic solutions. In particular, approximate solution 1 shows good agreement with the theoretical(exact) solution, and the first-order perturbation solution obtained by Walters et al.(Int. J. Impac Eng. 33:837–846, 2006) can be deemed as a special form of approximate solution 1 in high-speed penetration. Meanwhile, with constant tail velocity and penetration velocity approximate solution 2 has very simple expressions, which is applicable for the qualitative analysis of long-rod penetration. Differences among these two approximate solutions and the theoretical(exact) solution and their respective scopes of application have been discussed, and the inferences with clear physical basis have been drawn. In addition, these two solutions and the first-order perturbation solution are applied to two cases with different initial impact velocity and different penetrator/target combinations to compare with the theoretical(exact) solution. Approximate solution 1 is much closer to the theoretical solution of the Alekseevskii–Tate model than the first-order perturbation solution in both cases, whilst approximate solution 2 brings us a more intuitive understanding of quasi-steady-state penetration.     

On the validity of the Boltzmann–BGK model through relaxation evaluation

The Boltzmann-Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook（BGK）model is investigated for its validity regarding the collision term approximation through relaxation evaluation. The evaluation is based on theoretical analysis and numerical comparison between the BGK and direct simulation Monte Carlo（DSMC） results for three specifically designed relaxation problems. In these problems, one or half component of the velocity distribution is characterized by another Maxwellian distribution with a different temperature. It is analyzed that the relaxation time in the BGK model is unequal to the molecular mean collision time. Relaxation of component distribution fails to involve enough contribution from other component distributions, which makes the BGK model unable to capture details of velocity distribution, especially when discontinuity exists in distribution. The BGK model,however, predicts satisfactory results including fluxes during relaxation when the temperature difference is small. Particularly, the model-induced error in the BGK model increases with the temperature difference, thus the model is more reliable for low-speed rarefied flows than for hypersonic flows.     

Variation of the hysteresis loop with the Bouc–Wen model parameters

The Bouc–Wen model for smooth hysteresis has received an increasing interest in the last few years due to the ease of its numerical implementation and its ability to represent a wide range of hysteresis loop shapes. This model consists of a first-order nonlinear differential equation that contains some parameters that can be chosen, using identification procedures, to approximate the behavior of given physical hysteretic system. Despite a large body of literature dedicated to the Bouc–Wen model, the relationship between the parameters that appear in the differential equation and the shape of the obtained hysteresis loop is little understood. The objective of this paper is to fill this gap by analytically exploring this relationship using a new form of the model called the normalized one. The mathematical framework introduced in this study formalizes the vague notion of “loop shape" into precise quantities whose variation with the Bouc–Wen model parameters is analyzed. In light of this analysis, the parameters of Bouc–Wen model are re-interpreted.     

A robust formulation of the v2−f model

The elliptic relaxation approach of Durbin (Durbin, P.A., J. Theor. Comput. Fluid. Dyn. 3 (1991) 1–13), which accounts for wall blocking effects on the Reynolds stresses, is analysed herein from the numerical stability point of view, in the form of the $\bar v^2 - f$ . This model has been shown to perform very well on many challenging test cases such as separated, impinging and bluff-body flows, and including heat transfer. However, numerical convergence of the original model suggested by Durbin is quite difficult due to the boundary conditions requiring a coupling of variables at walls. A ‘code-friendly’ version of the model was suggested by Lien and Durbin (Lien, F.S. and Durbin, P.A., Non linear κ ? ε ? υ ² modelling with application to high-lift. In: Proceedings of the Summer Program 1996, Stanford University (1996), pp. 5–22) which removes the need of this coupling to allow a segregated numerical procedure, but with somewhat less accurate predictions. A robust modification of the model is developed to obtain homogeneous boundary conditions at a wall for both $\bar v^2 $ and f. The modification is based on both a change of variables and alteration of the governing equations. The new version is tested on a channel, a diffuser flow and flow over periodic hills and shown to reproduce the better results of the original model, while retaining the easier convergence properties of the ‘code-friendly’ version.     

Multiscale tensegrity model for the tensile properties of DNA nanotubes

DNA nanotubes(DNTs) with user-defined shapes and functionalities have potential applications in many fields. So far, compared with numerous experimental studies, there have been only a handful of models on the mechanical properties of such DNTs. This paper aims at presenting a multiscale model to quantify the correlations among the pre-tension states, tensile properties, encapsulation structures of DNTs, and the surrounding factors. First, by combining a statistical worm-like-chain(WLC) model of...     

Improving the hydrodynamic performance of the SUBOFF bare hull model: a CFD approach

The main aims of this study are to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of an autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV),calculate its hydrodynamic coefficients,and consider the flow characteristics of underwater bodies.In addition,three important parts of the SUBOFF bare hull,namely the main body,nose,and tail,are modified and redesigned to improve its hydrodynamic performance.A three-dimensional(3D)simulation is carried out using the computational fluid dynamics(CFD)method.To simulate turbulence,the k-ωshear stress transport(SST)model is employed,due to its good prediction capability at reasonable computational cost.Considering the effects of the length-to-diameter ratio(LTDR)and the nose and tail shapes on the hydrodynamic coefficients,it is concluded that a hull shape with bullet nose and sharp tail with LTDR equal to 7.14 performs better than the SUBOFF model.The final proposed model shows lower drag by about 14.9%at u=1.5 m·s^-1.Moreover,it produces 8 times more lift than the SUBOFF model at u=6.1 m·s^-1.These effects are due to the attachment of the fluid flow at the tail area of the hull,which weakens the wake region.     

Assessment of the kinetic–frictional model for dense granular flow

This paper aims to quantitatively assess the application of kinetic–frictional model to simulate the motion of dry granular materials in dense condition, in particular, the annular shearing in Couette configuration. The weight of frictional stress was varied to study the contribution of the frictional stress in dense granular flows. The results show that the pure kinetic-theory-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model (without frictional stress) over-predicts the dominant solids motion of dense granular flow while adding frictional stress [Schaeffer, D. G. (1987). Instability in the evolution equations describing incompressible granular flow. Journal of Differential Equations, 66(1), 19–50] with the solids pressure of [Lun, C. K. K., Savage, S. B., Jeffrey, D. J., & Chepurniy, N. (1984). Kinetic theories for granular flow: Inelastic particles in Couette flow and slightly inelastic particles in a general flow field. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 140, 223–256] in the CFD model improves the simulation to better conform available experimental results. The results also suggest that frictional stress transmission plays an important role in dense granular flow and should not be neglected in granular flow simulations. Compatible simulation results to the experimental data are seen by increasing the weight of frictional stress to a factor of 1.25–1.5. These improved simulation results suggest the current constitutive relations (kinetic–frictional model) need to be improved in order to better reflect the real dense granular flow.     

On a model for the pedestrians-induced lateral vibrations of footbridges

We study the synchronization of the pedestrians motion with the lateral motion of slender footbridges, which attracted the attention of researchers mainly after the Millennium Bridge well known event. We consider a bridge-pedestrians model developed by Strogatz et al. To better understand some aspects of the underlying mechanical phenomena and to increase the agreement of the model results to the effective behaviour of the walkers (as observed during the Millennium Bridge’s opening day and during Arup’s tests on site) we have introduced some modifications to the model and we have performed extensive parametric investigations, supported by many numerical simulations. Our approach is therefore computational, by means of a self-made code. This permits to highlight the parameters which mainly affect the trigger and the development of the phenomenon of synchronous lateral excitation, thus allowing a good understanding of the physical event and an evaluation of the engineering reliability of the Strogatz et al. model.     

Classification of traveling wave solutions to the Green–Naghdi model

In this paper, the Green–Naghdi model is investigated by employing the qualitative method. We classify all traveling wave solutions to this model in specified parameter region of the parameter space. Especially, we study the limiting behavior of all smooth and non-smooth periodic solutions as the parameters tend to some special values. Based on the qualitative results, all exact traveling wave solutions as well as their profiles are also given.     

Mathematical study of boundary-value problems within the framework of Steigmann–Ogden model of surface elasticity

Mathematical questions pertaining to linear problems of equilibrium dynamics and vibrations of elastic bodies with surface stresses are studied. We extend our earlier results on existence of weak solutions within the Gurtin–Murdoch model to the Steigmann–Ogden model of surface elasticity using techniques from the theory of Sobolev’s spaces and methods of functional analysis. The Steigmann–Ogden model accounts for the bending stiffness of the surface film; it is a generalization of the Gurtin–Murdoch model. Weak setups of the problems, based on variational principles formulated, are employed. Some uniqueness-existence theorems for weak solutions of static and dynamic problems are proved in energy spaces via functional analytic methods. On the boundary surface, solutions to the problems under consideration are smoother than those for the corresponding problems of classical linear elasticity and those described by the Gurtin–Murdoch model. The weak setups of eigenvalue problems for elastic bodies with surface stresses are based on the Rayleigh and Courant variational principles. For the problems based on the Steigmann–Ogden model, certain spectral properties are established. In particular, bounds are placed on the eigenfrequencies of an elastic body with surface stresses; these demonstrate the increase in the body rigidity and the eigenfrequencies compared with the situation where the surface stresses are neglected.     

Bifurcation dynamics of the modified physiological model of artificial pancreas with insulin secretion delay

In this paper, we modify the original physiological model of artificial pancreas by introducing the insulin secretion time delay. The non-resonant double Hopf bifurcation is analyzed by the Center Manifold Theorem and Normal Form Method. Numerical results supporting the theoretical analysis are presented in some typical parameter regions. It is shown that the critical value of technological delay and the area of death island of the non-resonant double Hopf bifurcation in the modified model are far less than those in the original model. This implies that when the secretion delay appears, the smaller technological delay can induce the double Hopf bifurcation. In addition, the region IV with complex coexisting bi-stability also decreases sharply. Furthermore, the rich dynamics such as various period, quasi-period and chaotic behaviors are found when some key parameters are changed. The obtained results can have important theoretical guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes patients.     

Three-ion model of EHD flows in the “wire-over-plane” electrode system

The results of numerical simulation of the complete system of electrohydrodynamic equations are presented for a dielectric liquid containing three kinds of ions, namely, two kinds arising owing to impurity molecule dissociation and the third kind arising owing to appearance of ions from liquid molecules with the electron-donor properties in near-electrode reactions. An analysis of the simulation results shows that a small jet of injected ions rapidly recombines with counterions under the conditions of weak injection; therefore, the jet of space charge differs significantly from the injected ion jet. This difference disappears under the conditions of strong injection. The flow structure is in the close correspondence with the results revealed experimentally.     

Criticality of bifurcation in the tuned axial–torsional rotary drilling model

We study the bifurcation characteristics of a lumped-parameter model of rotary drilling with 1:1 internal resonance between the axial and the torsional modes which leads to the largest stability thresholds. For this special case, the two-degree-of-freedom model for the drill-string reduces to an effectively single-degree-of-freedom system facilitating further analysis. The regenerative effect of the cutting action due to the axial vibrations is incorporated through a delayed term in the cutting force with the delay depending on the torsional oscillations. This state dependency of the delay introduces nonlinearity in the current model. Steady drilling loses stability via a Hopf bifurcation, and the nature of the bifurcation is determined by an analytical study using the method of multiple scales. We find that both subcritical and supercritical Hopf bifurcations are present in this system depending on the choice of operating parameters. Hence, the nonlinearity due to the state-dependent delay term could both be stabilizing or destabilizing in nature, and the self-interruption nonlinearity is essential to capture the global behavior. Numerical bifurcation analysis of a global axial–torsional model of rotary drilling further confirms the analytical results from the method of multiple scales. Further exploration of the rotary drilling dynamics unravels more complex phenomena including grazing bifurcations and possibly chaotic solutions.     

A nonlinear visco-elastoplastic impact model and the coefficient of restitution

A visco-elastoplastic model for the impact between a compact body and a composite target is presented. The model is a combination of a nonlinear contact law that includes energy loss due to plastic deformation and a viscous element that accounts for energy losses due to wave propagation and/or damping. The governing nonlinear equations are solved numerically to obtain the response. A piecewise linear version of the model is also presented, which facilitates analytical solution. The model predictions are compared to those of the well-known and commonly used Hunt–Crossley model. The effects of the various impact parameters, such as impactor mass, velocity, plasticity, and damping, on the impact response and coefficient of restitution are investigated. The model appears to be suitable for a wide range of impact situations, with parameters that are well defined and easily calculated or measured. Furthermore, the resulting coefficient of restitution is shown to be a function of impact velocity and damping, as confirmed by published experimental data.     

On the use of the model proposed by Leonov for the explanation of a secondary plateau of the loss modulus in heterogeneous polymer–filler systems with agglomerates

The purpose of the presented work was to test the capability of the model proposed by Leonov (J Rheol 34:1039–1068, 1990) for the prediction of secondary plateaus on the storage and loss moduli during small-amplitude oscillatory shear flow experiments on filled or heterogeneous polymer melts. Though the occurrence of a plateau on the storage modulus can be well explained in the frame of a filler network, a plateau on the loss modulus can hardly be described with the classical models. In the Leonov model, the continuum of dissipative processes is attributed to the rupture of flocs of particles. Experiments with polyolefins filled with magnesium hydroxide show that there is a clear connection between the amount of agglomerates and the occurrence of a plateau on the loss modulus. However, the value of the critical strain for floc rupture that can be calculated from the experiment shows that the processes responsible for the low-frequency dissipation are rather changes of configuration within the agglomerates than floc rupture. These processes are not described by the Leonov model, and the predicted strain dependence of the plateau is not observed experimentally.