Viscoelastic flow in a two-dimensional collapsible channel

We compute the flow of three viscoelastic fluids (Oldroyd-B, FENE-P, and Owens blood model) in a two-dimensional channel partly bounded by a tensioned membrane, a benchmark geometry for fluid–structure interactions. The predicted flow patterns are compared to those of a Newtonian liquid. We find that computations fail beyond a limiting Weissenberg number. Flow fields and membrane shape differ significantly because of the different degree of shear thinning and molecular extensibility underlying the three different microstructural models.     

Sound transmission from stiffened double laminated composite plates

An analytical model is developed to investigate the sound transmission loss from orthogonally rib-stiffened double laminated composite plates structure under a plane sound wave excitation, in which first order shear deformation theory is presented for laminated composite plates. By using the space harmonic approach and virtual work principle, the sound transmission loss is described analytically. The validity and feasibility of the model are verified by comparing the present theoretical predictions with numerical results published previously. The influences of structure geometrical parameters on sound transmission loss are subsequently presented. Through numerical results, it can be concluded that the proposed analytical model is accurate and simple in solving the vibroacoustic behavior of an orthogonally rib-stiffened double laminated composite plates.     

Wake instability issues: From circular cylinders to stalled airfoils

Some recent results regarding the global dynamical behaviour of the wake of circular cylinders and airfoils with massive separation are reviewed in this paper. In order to investigate the effect of interference, the three-dimensional instability modes are analysed for the flow around two circular cylinders in tandem. In the same way, the flow around a stalled airfoil is investigated in order to provide a better understanding of the three-dimensional characteristics of wakes forming downstream of a lifting body with massive separation. These results are compared with those found for an isolated cylinder. Some fundamental differences among these flows are discussed.     

FREE VIBRATION OF A PARTIALLY LIQUID-FILLED AND SUBMERGED, HORIZONTAL CYLINDRICAL SHELL

The dynamic characteristics (i.e., natural frequencies and mode shapes) of a partially filled and/or submerged, horizontal cylindrical shell are examined. In this investigation, it is assumed that the fluid is ideal, and fluid forces are associated with inertial effects only: namely, the fluid pressure on the wetted surface of the structure is in phase with the structural acceleration. The in vacuo dynamic characteristics of the cylindrical shell are obtained using standard finite element software. In the “wet” part of the analysis, it is assumed that the shell structure preserves its in vacuo mode shapes when in contact with the contained and/or surrounding fluid and that each mode shape gives rise to a corresponding surface pressure distribution of the shell. The fluid-structure interaction effects are calculated in terms of generalized added masses, using a boundary integral equation method together with the method of images in order to impose an appropriate boundary condition on the free surface. To assess the influence of the contained and/or surrounding fluid on the dynamic behaviour of the shell structure, the wet natural frequencies and associated mode shapes were calculated and compared with available experimental measurements.     

A fast method for acoustic imaging of multiple three-dimensional objects

This paper is concerned with the inverse problem for imaging multiple three-dimensional objects using the information of the far-field pattern of the scattered wave. A spatially dependent function, which has noticeably different values inside and outside the obstacle, is derived. A numerical method based on the characterization is developed to obtain a visualization of the obstacle. The most remarkable advantage of this method is that it does not need any prior knowledge about the geometry and physical properties of the scatterer, and requires only the information of the far-field measurements for a finite number of directions of incidence and observation distributed over a limited range. Furthermore, the scheme is very simple and fast since it avoids the use of the iterative procedure and requires only the solution of a linear system. Some numerical examples with synthetic far-field data are given showing the practicality and efficiency of this scheme.     

A hybrid scheme based on finite element/volume methods for two immiscible fluid flows

We have successfully extended our implicit hybrid finite element/volume (FE/FV) solver to flows involving two immiscible fluids. The solver is based on the segregated pressure correction or projection method on staggered unstructured hybrid meshes. An intermediate velocity field is first obtained by solving the momentum equations with the matrix‐free implicit cell‐centered FV method. The pressure Poisson equation is solved by the node‐based Galerkin FE method for an auxiliary variable. The auxiliary variable is used to update the velocity field and the pressure field. The pressure field is carefully updated by taking into account the velocity divergence field. This updating strategy can be rigorously proven to be able to eliminate the unphysical pressure boundary layer and is crucial for the correct temporal convergence rate. Our current staggered‐mesh scheme is distinct from other conventional ones in that we store the velocity components at cell centers and the auxiliary variable at vertices. The fluid interface is captured by solving an advection equation for the volume fraction of one of the fluids. The same matrix‐free FV method, as the one used for momentum equations, is used to solve the advection equation. We will focus on the interface sharpening strategy to minimize the smearing of the interface over time. We have developed and implemented a global mass conservation algorithm that enforces the conservation of the mass for each fluid. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical analysis of hydrostatic implodable volumes with solid inner structures

The basic analytical theory for hydrostatically caused implosions of spherical volumes, which has been known for nearly a century, has been extended for the treatment of annular volumes with solid inner structures. Theoretical analyses are developed that treat the inner structure as infinitely hard, elastically deformable, plastically deformable or shattering under the influence of the pressure from the surrounding implosion event. Parametric studies are made of the effect that the inner structure's geometric and material properties have on the pressure field of the surrounding water. It is concluded that the pressure waves produced by the imploding volume are significantly affected by the existence of an inner structure and the inner structure's physical properties. This is an important consideration in assessing the effect of an underwater implosion event on nearby structures.     

Series solutions of nano boundary layer flows by means of the homotopy analysis method

We present here a ‘similar’ solution for the nano boundary layer with nonlinear Navier boundary condition. Three types of flows are considered: (i) the flow past a wedge; (ii) the flow in a convergent channel; (iii) the flow driven by an exponentially-varying outer flows. The resulting differential equations are solved by the homotopy analysis method. Different from the perturbation methods, the present method is independent of small physical parameters so that it is applicable for not only weak but also strong nonlinear flow phenomena. Numerical results are compared with the available exact results to demonstrate the validity of the present solution. The effects of the slip length ?, the index parameters n and m on the velocity profile and the tangential stress are investigated and discussed.     

Effects of a small length scale on vibrations of an embedded double-walled carbon nanotube

Extensive continuum analyses are carried out to estimate the influence of matrix stiffness, a small length scale, and intertubular radial displacements on free vibrations of an individual double-walled carbon nanotybe. The analyses are based on both local and classical Euler–Bernoulli and Timoshenko elasticity theories with concentricity and nonconcentricity assumptions. The effect of a small length scale is incorporated in the formulations. New intertubular resonant frequencies are calculated based on these theories. Detailed results are demonstrated for the resonant frequencies as functions of matrix stiffness and the small length scale. The results indicate that the internal radial displacement and the stiffness of the surrounding matrix can greatly affect the resonant frequencies, especially at higher frequencies, and thus the latter does not keep the otherwise concentric structure at ultrahigh frequencies. More over, at high frequencies and small aspect ratios, the effect of the small length scale be comes more significant.