Fatigue crack growth studies in rail steels and associated weld metal

Fatigue crack growth studies in rail steels and associated weld metal have shown that (a) deformed rail steel exhibited fatigue crack growth rates that are slightly faster than undeformed rail steel and (b) weld metal growth data are appreciably faster than rail steel growth results and exhibit growth rate plateaux that reside above the upper bound reported for rail steel fatigue crack growth.In rail steel microstructures at low ΔK levels fatigue crack extension occurred by a ductile striated growth mechanism. However at K_max values approaching 40 MPa √m transgranular cleavage facets initially formed and their incidence increased with K_max until final fast fracture. The average cleavage facet size agreed well with pearlite nodule dimensions of 60–100 μm.The weld metal microstructure was much coarser than the rail steel and contained highly directional columnar grain growth. At all ΔK levels the dominant fracture mode was transgranular cleavage containing small isolated regions of ductile striated fatigue crack growth. The cleavage facet size varied from 150 to 600 μm; such a large variation was explained by the fact that in general crack extension tended to occur in association with the proeutectoid ferrite phase.     

Mechanics of adhesive contact on a power-law graded elastic half-space

We consider adhesive contact between a rigid sphere of radius R and a graded elastic half-space with Young's modulus varying with depth according to a power law E=E₀(z/c₀)^k (0<k<1) while Poisson's ratio ν remaining a constant. Closed-form analytical solutions are established for the critical force, the critical radius of contact area and the critical interfacial stress at pull-off. We highlight that the pull-off force has a simple solution of P_cr=−(k+3)πRΔγ/2 where Δγ is the work of adhesion and make further discussions with respect to three interesting limits: the classical JKR solution when k=0, the Gibson solid when k→1 and ν=0.5, and the strength limit in which the interfacial stress reaches the theoretical strength of adhesion at pull-off.     

Effect of material nonhomogeneities on the HRR dominance

This work studies the asymptotic stress and displacement fields near the tip of a stationary crack in an elastic–plastic nonhomogeneous material with the emphasis on the effect of material nonhomogeneities on the dominance of the crack tip field. While the HRR singular field still prevails near the crack tip if the material properties are continuous and piecewise continuously differentiable, a simple asymptotic analysis shows that the size of the HRR dominance zone decreases with increasing magnitude of material property gradients. The HRR field dominates at points that satisfy |α⁻¹ ∂α/∂x_δ|1/r, |α⁻¹ ∂²α/(∂x_δ ∂x_γ)|1/r², |n⁻¹ ∂n/∂x_δ|1/[r|ln(r/A)|] and |n⁻¹ ∂²n/(∂x_δ ∂x_γ)|1/[r²|ln(r/A)|], in addition to other general requirements for asymptotic solutions, where α is a material property in the Ramberg–Osgood model, n is the strain hardening exponent, r is the distance from the crack tip, x_δ are Cartesian coordinates, and A is a length parameter. For linear hardening materials, the crack tip field dominates at points that satisfy |E_tan⁻¹ ∂E_tan/∂x_δ|1/r, |E_tan⁻¹ ∂²E_tan/(∂x_δ ∂x_γ)|1/r², |E⁻¹ ∂E/∂x_δ|1/r, and |E⁻¹ ∂²E/(∂x_δ ∂x_γ)|1/r², where E_tan is the tangent modulus and E is Young’s modulus.     

Numerical and experimental investigation of thermal convection for a thermodependent Herschel-Bulkley fluid in an annular duct with rotating inner cylinder

Thermal convection for an incompressible Herschel-Bulkley fluid along an annular duct, whose inner cylinder is rotating and outer is at rest, is analyzed numerically and experimentally. The outer cylinder is heated at constant heat flux density and the inner one is assumed adiabatic. The first part of this study deals with the effect of the rheological behavior of the fluid and that of the rotation of the inner cylinder on the flow field and heat transfer coefficient. All the physical properties are assumed constant and the flow is assumed fully developed. The critical Rossby number Ro_c = (R₁Ω/U_d)_c, for which the dimension of the plug flow is reduced to zero is determined with respect to the flow behavior index, the radius ratio and the Herschel-Bulkley number for axial flow. The rotation of the inner cylinder induces a decrease of the axial velocity gradient at the outer cylinder thereby reducing the heat transfer between the heated wall and the fluid. The second part of this study introduces the variation of the consistency K with temperature and analyzes the evolution of the flow pattern and heat transfer coefficient along the heating zone. Two cases are distinguished depending on the Rossby number: (i) Ro < Ro_c, the plug flow dimension increases along the heating zone; (ii) Ro < Ro_c, the decrease of K with temperature leads to the reappearance of the plug flow. For high angular velocities, it is possible to have a plug zone attached to the outer cylinder. Finally, a correlation is proposed for the Nusselt number. It shows clearly that the effect of thermodependency of K on the heat transfer becomes more important with increasing rotational velocity of the inner cylinder.     

Consecutive chemical reactions in an annular reactor with non-newtonian flow

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the homogeneous consecutive chemical reactions carried out in an annular reactor with non-Newtonian laminar flow. The fluids are assumed to be characterized by a Ostwald-de Waele (powerlaw) model and the reaction kinetics is considered of general order. Effects of flow pseudoplasticity, dimensionless reaction rate constants, order of reaction kinetics and ratio of inner to outer radii of reactor on the reactor performances are examined in detail.Nomenclature c _A concentration of reactant A, g.mole/cm³ - c _B concentration of reactant B, g.mole/cm³ - c _A0 inlet concentration of reactant A, g.mole/cm³ - C ₁ dimensionless concentration of A, c _A/c _A0 - C ₂ dimensionless concentration of B, c _B/c _A0 - C ₁ dimensionless bulk concentration of A - C ₂ dimensionless bulk concentration of B - D _A molecular diffusivity of A, cm²/sec - D _B molecular diffusivity of B, cm²/sec - k _A first reaction rate constant, (g.mole/cm³)^1–m /sec - k _B second reaction rate constant, (g.mole/cm³)^1–n /sec - K ₁ dimensionless first reaction rate constant, k _A r ₀ ² c _A0 ^m–1 /D _A - K ₂ dimensionless second reaction rate constant, k _B r ₀ ² c _A0 ^n–1 /D _B - K apparent viscosity, dyne(sec) ^m /cm² - m order of reaction kinetics - n order of reaction kinetics - P pressure, dyne/cm² - r radial coordinate, cm - r _i radius of inner tube, cm - r _max radius at maximum velocity, cm - r _o radius of outer tube, cm - R dimensionless radial coordinate, r/r _o - s reciprocal of rheological parameter for power-law model - u local velocity, cm/sec - u _max maximum velocity, cm/sec - u bulk velocity, cm/sec - U dimensionless velocity, u/u - z axial coordinate, cm - Z dimensionless axial coordinate, zD _A/r ₀ ² /u - ratio of molecular diffusivity, D _B/D _A - ratio of inner to outer radius of reactor, r _i/r _o - ratio of radius at maximum velocity to outer radius, r _max/r _o     

Stability of limit cycles and bifurcations of generalized van der Pol oscillators:

The character of the local stresses and displacements are determined for a through crack with finite radius of curvature in a finite thickness plate. Numerical results obtained from the boundary element method show that the solutions are sufficiently accurate for /a ≤ 0.03 and 0.03 ≤ /a ≤ 0.1, where and a represent, respectively, the crack front radius of curvature and crack dimension such that a is the width of a through thickness crack and the depth of a part-through crack. For /a ≤ 0.1, the asymptotic singular stress field dominates such that the Mode I stress intensity factor K₁ can be evaluated. As the crack border radius of curvature is increased for /a ≥ 0.1, the non-singular terms become significant such that K_I would no longer dominate. Other failure criteria would have to be invoked to address fracture initiation.     

Crack front curvature effect on stress intensity factor of through and part-through thickness cracks

The character of the local stresses and displacements are determined for a through crack with finite radius of curvature in a finite thickness plate. Numerical results obtained from the boundary element method show that the solutions are sufficiently accurate for /a ≤ 0.03 and 0.03 ≤ /a ≤ 0.1, where and a represent, respectively, the crack front radius of curvature and crack dimension such that a is the width of a through thickness crack and the depth of a part-through crack. For /a ≤ 0.1, the asymptotic singular stress field dominates such that the Mode I stress intensity factor K₁ can be evaluated. As the crack border radius of curvature is increased for /a ≥ 0.1, the non-singular terms become significant such that K_I would no longer dominate. Other failure criteria would have to be invoked to address fracture initiation.     

Linear Stability Analysis of Resonant Periodic Motions in the Restricted Three-Body Problem

The equations of the restricted three-body problem describe the motion of a massless particle under the influence of two primaries of masses 1 −μ and μ, 0≤μ≤ 1/2, that circle each other with period equal to 2π. When μ=0, the problem admits orbits for the massless particle that are ellipses of eccentricity e with the primary of mass 1 located at one of the focii. If the period is a rational multiple of 2π, denoted 2π p/q, some of these orbits perturb to periodic motions for μ > 0. For typical values of e and p/q, two resonant periodic motions are obtained for μ > 0. We show that the characteristic multipliers of both these motions are given by expressions of the form in the limit μ→ 0. The coefficient C(e,p,q) is analytic in e at e=0 and C(e,p,q)=O(e^|p-q|). The coefficients in front of e^|p-q|, obtained when C(e,p,q) is expanded in powers of e for the two resonant periodic motions, sum to zero. Typically, if one of the two resonant periodic motions is of elliptic type the other is of hyperbolic type. We give similar results for retrograde periodic motions and discuss periodic motions that nearly collide with the primary of mass 1 −μ.     

Symmetry and secondary bifurcation of elastic structures

We consider non-linear bifurcation problems for elastic structures modeled by the operator equation F[w;α]=0 where F:X×R^k→Y,X,Y are Banach spaces and XY. We focus attention on problems whose bifurcation equations are of the form

f_i(α₁,α₂;λ,μ)=(a_iμ+b_iλ)α_i+p_iα_i³+q_iα_i∑_j=1,j≠i^kα_j+1²+α_ih_i(λ,μ;α₁,α₂,…α_k) i=1,2,…k

which emanates from bifurcation problems for which the linearization of F is Fredholm operators of index 0. Under the assumption of F being odd we prove an important theorem of existence of secondary bifurcation. Under this same assumption we prove a symmetry condition for the reduced equations and consequently we got an existence result for secondary bifurcation. We also include a stability analysis of the bifurcating solutions.     

Non-linear oscillation of circular cylindrical shells

The method of multiple scales is used to analyze the non-linear forced response of circular cylindrical shells in the presence of a two-to-one internal (autoparametric) resonance to a harmonic excitation having the frequency Ω. If ω_r and a_r denote the frequency and amplitude of a flexural mode and ω_b and a_b denote the frequency and amplitude of the breathing mode, the steady-state response exhibits a saturation phenomenon when ω_b ≈ 2ω_r, if the excitation frequency Ω is near ω_b. As the amplitude ƒ of the excitation increases from zero, a_b increases linearly whereas a_r remains zero until a threshold is reached. This threshold is a function of the damping coefficients and ω_b−2ω_r. Beyond this threshold a_b remains constant (i.e. the breathing mode saturates) and the extra energy spills over into the flexural mode. In other words, although the breathing mode is directly excited by the load, it absorbs a small amount of the input energy (responds with a small amplitude) and passes the rest of the input energy into the flexural mode (responds with a large amplitude). For small damping coefficients and depending on the detunings of the internal resonance and the excitation, the response exhibits a Hopf bifurcation and consequently there are no steadystate periodic responses. Instead, the responses are amplitude- and phase-modulated motions. When Ω ≈ ω_r, there is no saturation phenomenon and at close to perfect resonance, the response exhibits a Hopf bifurcation, leading again to amplitude- and phase-modulated or chaotic motions.     

Photoelectrochemical glucose biosensor incorporating CdS nanoparticles

A novel photoelectrochemical biosensor incorporating nanosized CdS semiconductor crystals with enzyme to enhance photochemical reaction has been investigated. CdS nanoparticles were synthesized by using dendrimer PAMAM as inner templates. The CdS nanoparticles and glucose oxidase （GOD） were immobilized on Pt electrode via layer-by-layer （LbL） technique to fabricate a biological-inorganic hybrid system. Under ultraviolet light, the photo-effect of the CdS nanoparticles showed enhancement of the biosensor to detect glucose. Pt nanoparticles were mixed into the Nation film to immobilize the CdS/enzyme composites and to improve the charge transfer of the hybrid. Experimental results demonstrate the desirable characteristics of this biosensing system, e,g. a sensitivity of 1.83 μA/（mM cm^2）, lower detection limit （1 μM）, and acceptable reproducibility and stability,     

The large path length limit for infrared gaseous radiation

Summary The large path length limit is investigated for infrared gaseous radiation. This limit differs considerably, as the result of the wing regions of vibrationrotation bands, from the conventional Rosseland limit. For illustrative purposes, results are presented for a gas bounded by two parallel black plates and within which there is a uniform heat source. In order to demonstrate its range of applicability, the large path length limit is compared with numerical solutions for CO, CO₂, H₂O, and CH₄. It is further shown that a gas such as CO₂ is a very poor transmitter of radiant energy, relative to other absorbing-emitting gases, in the large path length limit, although just the opposite is true under optically thin conditions.Nomenclature A _i total band absorptance of the ith band, cm^–1 - A _oi correlation quantity, cm^–1 - _i dimensionless band absorptance, A _i /A _oi - B _i ² correlation quantity - B _e,i rotational constant for the ith band, cm^–1 - c speed of light - C _oi ² correlation quantity, atm^–1 cm^–1 - e Planck's distribution function, (watt cm^–2) cm^–1 - e _i Planck's function evaluated at the center of the ith band - e _1wi Planck's function evaluated at the center of the ith band and at the temperature T ₁ - h Planck's constant - k Boltzmann's constant - L distance between plates, cm - P gas pressure, atm - P _ei equivalent broadening pressure of the ith band - q _R total radiation heat flux, watt/cm² - q _Ri radiation heat flux for ith band, watt/cm² - Q heat source or sink, watt/cm³ - T temperature, °K - T ₁ wall temperature - T _c centerline temperature - u _i dimensionless coordinate, C _oi ² Py - u _oi dimensionless path length, C _oi ² PL - y physical coordinate, cm - dimensionless coordinate, y/L     

Uniformly valid solution of limit cycle of the Duffing–van der Pol equation

The limit cycle of the Duffing–van der Pol equation is studied. By considering the product of the frequency ω of the limit cycle and the coefficient ε as an independent parameter μ=εω, an equivalent equation is obtained and then solved by Liao’s homotopy analysis method. The frequency ω is deduced as a function of μ and δ. This function provides us with an algebraic equation for ω, according to which we have an analytical approximation for the frequency. Numerical examples show that the attained approximation is very accurate. More importantly, the results are uniformly valid for all positive values of ε.     

Experimental investigations of the stability limit of the helical flow of pseudoplastic liquids

The stability of the laminar helical flow of pseudoplastic liquids has been investigated with an indirect method consisting in the measurement of the rate of mass transfer at the surface of the inner rotating cylinder. The experiments have been carried out for different values of the geometric parameter = R ₁/R ₂ (the radius ratio) in the range of small values of the Reynolds number,Re < 200. Water solutions of CMC and MC have been used as pseudoplastic liquids obeying the power law model. The results have been correlated with the Taylor and Reynolds numbers defined with the aid of the mean viscosity value. The stability limit of the Couette flow is described by a functional dependence of the modified critical Taylor number (including geometric factor) on the flow indexn. This dependence, general for pseudoplastic liquids obeying the power law model, is close to the previous theoretical predictions and displays destabilizing influence of pseudoplasticity on the rotational motion. Beyond the initial range of the Reynolds numbers values (Re>20), the stability of the helical flow is not affected considerably by the pseudoplastic properties of liquids. In the range of the monotonic stabilization of the helical flow the stability limit is described by a general dependence of the modified Taylor number on the Reynolds number. The dependence is general for pseudoplastic as well as Newtonian liquids.Nomenclature C _i concentration of reaction ions, kmol/m³ - d = R ₂ –R ₁ gap width, m - F _M () Meksyn's geometric factor (Eq. (1)) - F ₀ Faraday constant, C/kmol - i _l density of limit current, A/m³ - k _c mass transfer coefficient, m/s - n flow index - R ₁,R ₂ inner, outer radius of the gap, m - Re = V _m ·2d·/µ _m Reynolds number - Ta _c = _c ·d^3/2·R ₁ ^1/2 ·/µ _m Taylor number - Z _i number of electrons involved in electrochemical reaction - = R ₁/R ₂ radius ratio - µ apparent viscosity (local), Ns/m² - µ _m mean apparent viscosity value (Eq. (3)), Ns/m² - µ _i apparent viscosity value at a surface of the inner cylinder, Ns/m² - density, kg/m³ - _c angular velocity of the inner cylinder (critical value), 1/s     

Strain energy function of an uncross-linked butadiene rubber estimated from planar extension

The derivatives of the strain energy function u with respect to the invariants of the strain tensor (I₁ and I₂) are estimated for uncross-linked butadiene rubber by using the BKZ constitutive equation. The derivatives at small deformations show anomalous behavior; namely, an upturn for ∂u/∂I₁ and a downturn for ∂u/∂I₂ take place, as is the case of cross-linked rubbers. At large deformations, u is well described by u = A₁(I₁ −3) + A₂(I₂ −3) with numerical constants A₁ and A₂. This behavior is also quite similar to that for cross-linked rubbers. The non-zero positive constant A₂ for the melt suggests that the non-zero value is due to neither the inhomogeneity in network structure nor high extension of constituent polymer chains.     

Effect of acceleration on the wavy Taylor vortex flow

In this paper, we use a laser optical technique to investigate the characteristics of a wavy Taylor vortex flow between two concentric cylinders, with the inner cylinder subjected to a wide range of predetermined acceleration and the outer one at rest. We focus on the inner/outer radius ratio of 0.894, with an acceleration (dRe/dt*) from 0.1123 to 2,247, and Reynolds number from Re/Re _c =1.0 to 36. The results show that, with increasing Reynolds number, there is an initial increase in the wavelength of the wavy vortex flow (λ), and a decrease in the wave speed (c) before they asymptote to a constant value, which is a function of the acceleration. As for the wave amplitude (A), it is found that the effect of acceleration is significant only in a very narrow range of Reynolds numbers. Received: 21 August 2001 / Accepted: 22 November 2001     

Analytical Solution for Radial Deformations of Functionally Graded Isotropic and Incompressible Second-Order Elastic Hollow Spheres

We analytically analyze radial expansion/contraction of a hollow sphere composed of a second-order elastic, isotropic, incompressible and inhomogeneous material to delineate differences and similarities between solutions of the first- and the second-order problems. The two elastic moduli are assumed to be either affine or power-law functions of the radial coordinate R in the undeformed reference configuration. For the affine variation of the shear modulus μ, the hoop stress for the linear elastic (or the first-order) problem at the point R=(R _ou R _in (R _ou +R _in )/2)^1/3 is independent of the slope of the μ vs. R line. Here R _in and R _ou equal, respectively, the inner and the outer radius of the sphere in the reference configuration. For μ(R)∝R ⁿ , for the linear problem, the hoop stress is constant in the sphere for n=1. However, no such results are found for the second-order (i.e., materially nonlinear) problem. Whereas for the first-order problem the shear modulus influences only the radial displacement and not the stresses, for the second-order problem the two elastic constants affect both the radial displacement and the stresses. In a very thick homogeneous hollow sphere subjected only to pressure on the outer surface, the hoop stress at a point on the inner surface depends upon values of the two elastic moduli. Thus conclusions drawn from the analysis of the first-order problem do not hold for the second-order problem. Closed form solutions for the displacement and stresses for the first-order and the second-order problems provided herein can be used to verify solutions of the problem obtained by using numerical methods.     

Kinetics of microcrack blunting ahead of macrocrack approaching shear wave speed

The fracturing of glass and tearing of rubber both involve the separation of material but their crack growth behavior can be quite different, particularly with reference to the distance of separation of the adjacent planes of material and the speed at which they separate. Relatively speaking, the former and the latter are recognized, respectively, to be fast and slow under normal conditions. Moreover, the crack tip radius of curvature in glass can be very sharp while that in the rubber can be very blunt. These changes in the geometric features of the crack or defect, however, have not been incorporated into the modeling of running cracks because the mathematical treatment makes use of the Galilean transformation where the crack opening distance or the change in the radius of curvature of the crack does not enter into the solution. Change in crack speed is accounted for only via the modulus of elasticity and mass density. For this simple reason, many of the dynamic features of the running crack have remained unexplained although speculations are not lacking. To begin with, the process of energy dissipation due to separation is affected by the microstructure of the material that distinguishes polycrystalline from amorphous form. Energy extracted from macroscopic reaches of a solid will travel to the atomic or smaller regions at different speeds at a given instance. It is not clear how many of the succeeding size scales should be included within a given time interval for an accurate prediction of the macroscopic dynamic crack characteristics. The minimum requirement would therefore necessitate the simultaneous treatment of two scales at the same time. This means that the analysis should capture the change in the macroscopic and microscopic features of a defect as it propagates. The discussion for a dual scale model has been invoked only very recently for a stationary crack. The objective of this work is to extend this effort to a crack running at constant speed beyond that of Rayleigh wave. Developed is a dual scale moving crack model containing microscopic damage ahead of a macroscopic crack with a gradual transition. This transitory region is referred to as the mesoscopic zone where the tractions prevail on the damaged portion of the material ahead of the original crack known as the restraining stresses, the magnitude of which depends on the geometry, material and loading. This damaged or restraining zone is not assumed arbitrarily nor assumed to be intrinsically a constant in the cohesive stress approach; it is determined for each step of crack advancement. For the range of micronotch bluntness with 0 < β < 30° and 0.2 σ_∞/σ₀ 0.5, there prevails a nearly constant restraining zone size as the crack approaches the shear wave speed. Note that β is the half micronotch angle and the applied stress ratio is σ_∞/σ₀ with σ₀ being the maximum of the restraining stress. For σ_∞/σ₀ equal to or less than 0.5, the macrocrack opening displacement COD is nearly constant and starts to decrease more quickly as the crack approaches the shear wave speed. For the present dual scale model where the normalized crack speed v/c_s increases with decreasing with the one-half microcrack tip angle β. There prevails a limit of crack tip bluntness that corresponds to β 36° and v/c_s 0.15. That is a crack cannot be maintained at a constant speed if the bluntness is increased beyond this limiting value. Such a feature is manifestation of the dependency of the restraining stress on crack velocity and the applied stress or the energy pumped into the system to maintain the crack at a constant velocity. More specifically, the transitory character from macro to micro is being determined as part of the unknown solution. Using the energy density function dW/dV as the indicator, plots are made in terms of the macrodistance ahead of the original crack while the microdefect bluntness can vary depending on the tip geometry. Such a generality has not been considered previously. The macro-dW/dV behavior with distance remains as the inverse r relation yielding a perfect hyperbola for the homogeneous material. This behavior is the same as the stationary crack. The micro-dW/dV relations are expressed in terms of a single undetermined parameter. Its evaluation is beyond the scope of this investigation although the qualitative behavior is expected to be similar to that for the stationary crack. To reiterate, what has been achieved as an objective is a model that accounts for the thickness of a running crack since the surface of separation representing damage at the macroscopic and microscopic scale is different. The transitory behavior from micro to macro is described by the state of affairs in the mesoscopic zone.     

On the squeeze flow of a power-law fluid between rigid spheres

The lubrication solution for the squeeze flow of a power-law fluid between two rigid spherical particles has been investigated. It is shown that the radial pressure distribution converges to zero within the gap between the particles for any value of the flow index, n, provided that the gap separation distance is sufficiently small. However, in the case of the viscous force, it is useful to consider that there are two contributions. The first is developed in the inner region of the gap and corresponds to the lubrication limit. The second is due to an integration of the pressure in the adjacent outer region of the gap. The relative contribution to the force in this outer region increases as n decreases and the separation distance increases. In particular, for flow indices in the range n>1/3, the contribution in the outer region is negligible if the separation distance is sufficiently small. For n1/3, this is the dominant term and an accurate prediction of the viscous force is possible only for discrete liquid bridges.Based on “zero” pressure and lubrication criteria for the upper limits of integration, two closed-form solutions have been derived for the viscous force. Both are accurate for n>0.5 and are in close agreement with a previously published asymptotic solution in the range n>0.6. For smaller values of n, the asymptotic solution over-estimates the viscous force and predicts a singularity when n approaches 1/3. The two closed-form solutions show continuous and monotonic behaviour for all values of n. Moreover, the solution satisfying the lubrication limit is valid in the range n<1/3 provided that it is restricted to liquid bridges.     

Asymptotic analysis of the finite cone-and-plate flow of a non-newtonian fluid

Consider the shearing flow of a viscoelastic fluid trapped by surface tension between a cone and a plate. An asymptotic analysis of this problem in the limit of small gap angle has been done. This limit is realized in many practical situations. It is assumed that the Deborah number De, the Reynolds number Re, and the retardation parameter β are all order unity and that the shape of the free surface is very nearly spherical. Closed form analytic expressions are obtained for the leading terms of the primary and weak secondary motion of the fluid as well as the meniscus shape. It is found that the velocity field is bounded and continuous if and only if . There is a family of curves in the De-β plane on which the velocity field has a removable singularity at the origin. The secondary flow is made up of either one or two toroidal vortices. The meniscus has a bulge near the rotating cone and a trough near the stationary plate.