Reserve ability of parallel system with failed elements

The aim of the analysis is to define for a system with parallel elements conditions at which the failure of one or several elements does not cause immediate failure of the whole system. The critical number of failed elements of such a system is assessed based on the strength probability properties of its structural elements. The condition of the catastrophic failure of the whole system is defined by the shape and scale parameters of the strength probability function and the number of parallel elements. The proposed probabilistic model allows estimating the ability of the parallel systems to continue operation when some of its elements are broken.     

Viscoelastic properties of polymerlike reverse micelles

A dramatic increase in the viscosity of reverse micellar solutions of lecithin in a variety of organic solvents of up to a factor of 10⁶ upon the addition of a small amount of water can be observed. The formation of viscoelastic solutions can be explained by a water-induced aggregation of lecithin molecules into flexible cylindrical reverse micelles and the subsequent formation of a transient network of entangled micelles. The viscoelastic properties of these solutions are characterized as a function of water content and temperature for different organic solvents by means of dynamic shear viscosity measurements. The results are interpreted by making analogies to the behavior of semidilute polymer solutions and living polymers.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. J. Meissner on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Viscoplasticity of agglomerated suspensions

This work is a theoretical study on the effects of agglomeration on the fluidity and plasticity of a suspension of neutrally buoyant particles in a Newtonian fluid. The dynamics of a cluster of permanently attached spherical particles in a simple shear field is analyzed. The viscous and plastic components of the drag force acting on each of the agglomerated particles is then calculated and found to depend on the size of the individual particle unit, its location being relative to the center of the cluster and the material properties of the engulfing fluid. This information in conjunction with the knowledge of the interparticle cohesive forces is used to establish criteria for the agglomerate size reduction during dispersive mixing. From the kinematics of the cluster movement and the forces acting on its particulate components the rate of energy dissipation is calculated and utilized to evaluate the viscosity and yield stress of the suspension. These rheological parameters depend on the volume fraction and architecture of the agglomerate, the number of fused particles per cluster, and the viscosity of the suspending fluid. The analysis is also extended to include the case of polydispersity of agglomerate sizes.     

La notion de moyenne en turbulence. Quelques réflexions selon une perspective historique

The historical evolution of the averaging concept in turbulence is presented according to a two-fold analysis, taking into consideration the physical meaning and the mathematical formulation. After having placed in their historical context some symptomatic characteristics of turbulent flows, the question of their interpretation as a turbulence syndrome, leading to a unitary identification of the phenomenon, is discussed. We then deal with the emergence of the notion of mean as a tool of physical understanding of such a unitary approach, and its relation with the progression of the “experimental” evidence. We conclude by relating this notion to the theoretical aspects of a determinism on average of the turbulent regime, its finality and some attempts to develop a probabilistic theory of turbulence.     

Evolution of viscoelastic properties of polyurethane in the course of curing

Simultaneous measurements of the components of dynamic modulus at the set of frequencies were made by Fourier-Transform Mechanical Spectroscopy (FTMS) to investigate the curing process of a segmented polyurethane.The whole process of curing is treated as consisting of three stages. In the first stage, the material can flow and this stage is complete at the gel-point. In the second stage, the curing proceeds in the network and ends with phase separation of aggregating segments (blocks) of polymeric chains. In the third stage, the curing continues in the two-phase system. The object of investigation was the transition from the second to the third stage. It was shown that the position of the maximum of loss tangent depends on frequency and does not coincide with different characteristic points marking the time dependencies of G and G. This is due to the formation of micro-particles of the newly formed phase. The FTMS method is used for separation of the modulus changes into parts related to formation of chemical and physical networks.Special means of treating calorimetric measurements identified a weak maximum heat output at the moment corresponding to the transition point.     

Anisotropic conduction of heat in a flowing polymeric material

In this paper a theory is presented which relates the thermal conductivity tensor of an amorphous polymeric material to the history of deformation of the material. The basis of the theory is formed by the network theory for polymeric materials. It will be shown that the results obtained here are in good agreement with experimental results on rubber. The effect of anisotropic heat conduction on the flow of a polymeric material will be demonstrated by the simple example of viscous heating in shear flow.Presented at the Golden Jubilee Conference of the British Society of Rheology and Third European Rheology Conference, Edinburgh, 3–7 September, 1990.     

Flow birefringence and rheological measurements on shear induced micellar structures

Aqueous solutions of cationic surfactant systems with strongly binding counterions show the striking phenomenon of shear induced phase transitions. At low shear rates or angular frequencies, the solutions exhibit Newtonian flow. At high rates of shear, however, the rheological properties change dramatically. Above a well defined threshold value of the velocity gradient, a supermolecular structure can be formed from micellar aggregates. This shear induced structure (SIS) behaves like a gel and exhibits strong flow birefringence. The formation of the shear induced structure is very complicated and depends on the specific conditions of the surfactant system. In this paper we discuss new results which have been obtained from rheological measurements and from flow birefringence data. We examine the stability of the shear induced state as a function of temperature, surfactant concentration and salt concentration and we analyse the effect of solubilisation of alcohols and hydrocarbons. The results are interpreted in terms of a kinetic model which accounts for the observed behavior.Dedicated to the 60. birthday of Prof. H. Harnisch, Hoechst AGPartly presented at the 2nd Conference of European Rheologists, Prague, June 17–20, 1986     

The effect of dissolved polymers on the rheological properties of coating colours

Coating colours used for the coating of paper and board consist mainly of a mineral pigment, which is very often clay, a synthetic binder such as a styrenebutadiene latex, dispersion agents and water retention aids. The latter are often water soluble polymers. These polymers have a very strong influence on the rheological properties of the coating colours, both on the strain rate dependence of the apparent viscosity and on the viscoelasticity. The effects of two different grades of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and one grade of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), on the rheological properties at room temperature of a clay-based coating colour at pH 8, have been investigated. It is concluded that the high values of the dynamic modulus of the colours are due to interactions between the cellulose derivatives and the solid particles, i.e. mainly the clay particles. For HEC this interaction is associated with adsorption of the polymeric molecules on the clay particles. In the case of CMC, the adsorption is strongly retarded by the presence of the dispersant (a polyacrylate salt). It is suggested that the marked elasticity of the CMC-containing colour in addition to a possible polymer adsorption may be due to charge interactions and/or depletion flocculation. The effect of CMC and HEC on the water-retention properties of the colour is also discussed.     

ARCJET ABLATION EXPERIMENT TO SIMULATE THE CHELYABINSK ASTEROID ENTRY 1)

烧蚀是小行星极高速进入地球大气层后最重要的现象之一,在很大程度上决定了小行星的质量/尺寸变化、飞行轨迹、甚至光辐射特性. 为观测小行星材料在超高速高温流场中的烧蚀现象,在电弧加热器上开展了模拟Chelyabinsk小行星事件典型弹道状态(速度约5.6 km/s,高度17 km,流星体直径1 m)的烧蚀实验. 试件为钝头外形,头部半径20 mm,半锥角18$^\circ$. 作为对比,试件分别采用玄武岩和碳钢材料. 成功记录了清晰的烧蚀动态过程,观察到两种材料试件表面的熔融损失流动、以及玄武岩试件的蒸发喷射和崩裂剥落等现象,全程测得烧蚀气体发射光谱、试件实时外形变化、表面热图变化等数据. 分析结果显示了两种材料明显不同的烧蚀现象和质量损失机制：碳钢在高温气流冲击作用下溅射成大量微小液滴,跟随气流高速流失;玄武岩质量损失以熔融物剪切流动为主,并伴随少量块状剥落及蒸发喷射. 烧蚀时间为4 s,玄武岩和碳钢的质量损失及驻点后退量分别为37.9 g,72.7 g以及7.3 mm,13.1 mm,估算玄武岩材料的有效烧蚀焓约为2.6 MJ/kg,两种材料的烧蚀光谱测量组分与电镜能谱扫描结果吻合.     

On the role of stress-induced migration on time-dependent terminal velocities of falling spheres

There is experimental evidence to suggest that even under steady-state conditions the velocity of solid spheres or bubbles moving through viscoelastic fluids can become time dependent. One of the possible explanations offered for interpreting this phenomenon has been the generation of a polymer depleted layer in the line of passage of the particles, which disappears due to the counterbalancing effect of molecular diffusion in the long range. We have done some careful experiments and measured these concentrations to show that no such depletion layers are formed. Alternative explanations of the phenomenon have been examined and the importance of the possible effects of microstructures generated through temporary associations has been emphasised.     

Embracing the Random in the Self-Organizing Psyche

The history of the idea of randomness in the Nineteenth Century is presented as a backdrop to Freud's understanding of randomness in the psyche. Next, the role of the random event in nonlinear dynamical systems theory is discussed. Then, a revision of the traditional psychoanalytic view of the synthetic function of the ego is proposed based on the process of self-organization in which random elements are utilized in the emergence of new systemic structures. A theory of dreaming is elaborated which transcends the traditional dichotomy of dreams as either random events or meaningful psychological contents. Finally, remarks about psychoanalytic treatment as a process of self-organizing incorporation of the random are offered.     

Dynamics and Breakup of Viscoelastic Liquids (A Review)

The phenomena of hydrodynamic breakup of liquid jets, drops, films, bridges, and filaments are reviewed for liquids with viscoelastic properties. The reasons for breakup are capillary instabilities, collisions with rigid obstacles, and other forms of dynamic action. The relationship between the properties of the liquids and the features of the breakup process is discussed.     

Sequences of orbits and the boundaries of the basin of attraction for two double heteroclinic orbits

The boundaries of the basin of attraction are usually assumed to be rather elementary for Hamiltonian systems with autonomous perturbations. In the case of one saddle point, the sequences of orbits before capture are unique for each basin. However, we show that for two saddle points each with double heteroclinic orbits, there is an infinite number of different sequences of nearly homoclinic orbits before capture depending on the four heteroclinic parameters. The probabilities of capture are independent of the capture sequence.     

Physiology,mechanics, and rheology

Biological systems possess rather specialized mechanical properties, acquired as part and parcel of the evolutionary development of the system as a whole. Their optimization permits the system to function physiologically in the context of a biologically essential, but mechanically often widely varying environment with adequate efficiency. The system's environment is its source of food and shelter; it represents the space in which it forages or preys on other creatures and in which it has to defend itself against still others. Thus, the system has to develop an adequately pliant, rheologically matched, energy-use efficient, mechanical interface between it and its surroundings. This must be an interface that both effectively excludes, but also effectively admits, the external. Internally, as well, it has to adapt the mechanical properties of cell and connective tissue to physiological function and the efficient performance of useful work. This will be illustrated by way of examples. Blood rheology is briefly discussed and put into the context of clinical hemorheology and epithelial protection; and function, by way of a mucus coating or a mucociliary clearance system, is reviewed in some detail. The importance of all aspects of rheological matching is demonstrated.Delivered as a Keynote Lecture at the Golden Jubilee Conference of the British Society of Rheology and Third European Rheology Conference, Edinburgh, 3–7 September, 1990.     

Large Scale Experiment on Transport of Trichloroethylene in a Controlled Aquifer

Pollution by dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) represents a major threat to groundwater resources. In a real case of site contamination, the efficiency of remediation techniques is often limited by a lack of knowledge of both the extent of the pollution and the behavior of the different phases of the pollutant in the subsurface. An experiment simulating pollution of an aquifer by a chlorinated solvent (Trichloroethylene: TCE) was conducted on a large controlled experimental site called SCERES. The experiment consisted of an injection of 8.9 liters of TCE under controlled conditions at 35cm below the soil surface with an appropriate set up. The goal was to study the behavior of the three phases of the pollutant (trapped TCE phase forming the impregnation body, vapors in the vadose zone, and dissolved traces in the aquifer) in order to better comprehend the mechanisms which govern the propagation and the transfer of this type of pollution underground. The SCERES experimental data indicate that mass transfer from the saturated zone to the vadose zone is important, affecting the repartition of the vapor plume and causing a significant decrease of dissolved TCE concentrations in the groundwater. Furthermore, vertical leaching of TCE vapors due to rainfall strongly influences the degree of groundwater pollution and its lateral extent. The transient mass balance of the experiment is very satisfactory and shows that the main part of the spilled quantity is lost to the atmosphere.     

Dissecting the Molecular Basis of the Mechanics of Living Cells

Cells establish and modulate their morphology and mechanics through the use of structural networks whose components range in size from a few nanometers to tens of micrometers. Over the past two decades, an exciting suite of sophisticated micro- and nanoscale technologies has emerged that permits investigators to directly probe structural and functional contributions of these components in living cells. Here we review underlying principles and recent applications of four such approaches: atomic force microscopy, subcellular laser ablation, micropatterning, and microfluidics. Together, these new tools are offering valuable insight into the molecular basis of cell structure and mechanics and revealing the remarkably broad influence of the mechanical microenvironment on many aspects of cell biology.     

Identification of multi-modal random variables through mixtures of polynomial chaos expansions

A methodology is introduced for the identification of a multi-modal real-valued random variable from a collection of samples. The random variable is seen as a finite mixture of uni-modal random variables. A functional representation of the random variable is used, which can be interpreted as a mixture of polynomial chaos expansions. After a suitable separation of samples into sets of uni-modal samples, the coefficients of the expansion are identified by using an empirical projection technique. This identification procedure allows for a generic representation of a large class of multi-modal random variables with low-order generalized polynomial chaos representations.     

Extensional flow resistance of dilute polyacrylamide and surfactant solutions

The extensional flow behaviour of dilute aqueous solutions of a partiallyhy-drolyzed polyacrylamide and a surfactant were investigated in an extensional flow cell. The cell was designed such that fluids were subjected to steady shear before undergoing extensional motion in a converging channel. Extensional resistance was monitored by measuring the pressure drop through the channel. Such measurements were made over a range of extensional rates at fixed values of the upstream shear rate. Solutions of different concentrations were tested — up to 40 ppm of polyacrylamide and 450 ppm of surfactant — at various temperatures in the case of surfactant and for different types and amounts of salt in the case of polyacrylamide. Of the results, the more notable are that the extensional resistance of polyacrylamide solutions is affected much more by CaCl₂ than by NaCl and that surfactant solutions do not exhibit extensional resistance unless they are pre-sheared.     

Tribology and Its Many Facets: From Macroscopic to Microscopic and Nano-scale Phenomena

The key features of tribology – interfacial phenomena of interacting bodies in relative motion – are as origin of friction and wear scientifically interesting and have important applications in technology and engineering. The interfacial interactions have been studied in various theoretical and experimental approaches. Depending on the scope of the investigation and the nature of the tribological solid/fluid/solid or solid/solid system under study, these approaches apply contact mechanics, hydrodynamics, and rheology as well as solid state physics and chemistry. Accordingly, also various experimental techniques have been used, ranging from Coulomb's classical tribometer to the contemporary atomic force microscope.This paper reviews by way of examples some of the basic interfacial facets of tribology – from bulk continuum to atomistic/discrete phenomena – in a macroscopic, microscopic, and nano-scale point of view. For tribo-testing it is important to characterize the tribo-system under study by an appropriate choice of a systems envelope and to consider the hierarchy of interaction levels.