Existence of Weak Solutions for the Three-Dimensional Motion of an Elastic Structure in an Incompressible Fluid

We study here the three-dimensional motion of an elastic structure immersed in an incompressible viscous fluid. The structure and the fluid are contained in a fixed bounded connected set Ω. We show the existence of a weak solution for regularized elastic deformations as long as elastic deformations are not too important (in order to avoid interpenetration and preserve orientation on the structure) and no collisions between the structure and the boundary occur. As the structure moves freely in the fluid, it seems natural (and it corresponds to many physical applications) to consider that its rigid motion (translation and rotation) may be large. The existence result presented here has been announced in [4]. Some improvements have been provided on the model: the model considered in [4] is a simplified model where the structure motion is modelled by decoupled and linear equations for the translation, the rotation and the purely elastic displacement. In what follows, we consider on the structure a model which represents the motion of a structure with large rigid displacements and small elastic perturbations. This model, introduced by [15] for a structure alone, leads to coupled and nonlinear equations for the translation, the rotation and the elastic displacement.     

VORTEX-INDUCED VIBRATIONS OF AN ELASTIC CIRCULAR CYLINDER

A numerical study of a uniform flow past an elastic circular cylinder using the discrete vortex method incorporating the vortex-in-cell (VIC) technique has been undertaken. The Reynolds number is kept at 200 for all calculations and the cylinder motion is modelled by a spring–damper–mass system. The fluid motion and the structural responses are solved in an iterative way so that the interactions between the fluid and the structure can be accounted for properly. Analyses of the cylinder responses, the damping, the induced forces, the vortex shedding frequency and the vortex structure in the wake have been carried out. The results show that fluid damping is responsible for a limit-cycle oscillation behaviour even when the system natural frequency is close to the vortex-shedding frequency. Reasonable agreement with previous experimental data and computational results is obtained in the comparison of the amplitude of the limit-cycle oscillations. The results further show that the cylinder oscillations could be as large as 0·57 diameter under certain flow conditions and structural properties. Finally, it is shown that a one-degree-of-freedom structural model yields results that are only in qualitative agreement with a two-degree-of-freedom model. In other words, the streamwise oscillations also have a substantial effect on the transverse vibrations and their characteristics.     

Viscous fluid damping in a laterally oscillating finger of a comb-drive micro-resonator based on micro-polar fluid theory

Viscous damping is a dominant source of energy dissipation in laterally oscillating micro-structures. In micro-resonators in which the characteristic dimensions are compa-rable to the dimensions of the fluid molecules, the assumption of the continuum fluid theory is no longer justified and the use of micro-polar fluid theory is indispensable. In this paper a mathematical model was presented in order to predict the viscous fluid damping in a laterally oscillating finger of a micro-resonator considering micro-polar fluid theory. The coupled governing partial differential equations of motion for the vibration of the finger and the micro-polar fluid field have been derived. Considering spin and no-spin boundary conditions, the related shape functions for the fluid field were presented. The obtained governing differential equations with time varying boundary conditions have been trans-formed to an enhanced form with homogenous boundary conditions and have been discretized using a Galerkin-based reduced order model. The effects of physical properties of the micro-polar fluid and geometrical parameters of the oscillat-ing structure on the damping ratio of the system have been investigated.     

Studying thin film damping in a micro-beam resonator based on non-classical theories

In this paper, a mathematical model is presented for studying thin film damping of the surrounding fluid in an in-plane oscillating micro-beam resonator. The proposed model for this study is made up of a clamped-clamped micro-beam bound between two fixed layers. The micro-gap between the micro-beam and fixed layers is filled with air. As classical theories are not properly capable of pre-dicting the size dependence behaviors of the micro-beam, and also behavior of micro-scale fluid media, hence in the presented model, equation of motion governing longitudinal displacement of the micro-beam has been extracted based on non-local elasticity theory. Furthermore, the fluid field has been modeled based on micro-polar theory. These coupled equations have been simplified using Newton-Laplace and continuity equations. After transforming to non-dimensional form and linearizing, the equations have been discretized and solved simultaneously using a Galerkin-based reduced order model. Considering slip boundary conditions and applying a complex frequency approach, the equivalent damping ratio and quality factor of the micro-beam resonator have been obtained. The obtained values for the quality factor have been compared to those based on classical theories. We have shown that applying non-classical theories underestimate the values of the quality factor obtained based on classical theo-ries. The effects of geometrical parameters of the micro-beam and micro-scale fluid field on the quality factor of the res-onator have also been investigated.     

Multi-modes approach to modelling of vortex-induced vibration

In this work the fluid–structure interactions are considered by investigating a straight but slender pipe interacting with uniform water flow. Two configurations are studied, namely vertically and horizontally positioned pipes, which are modelled as an Euler–Bernoulli beam with flexural stiffness. Both pretension and length-wise mass distribution are considered. The structure is assumed to be moving only in the direction normal to flow (cross-flow motion) hence its in-line motion is neglected. The external fluid force acting on the structure is the result of the action of sectional vortex-induced drag and lift forces. Only mean drag force is considered, with time varying lift force modelled using a non-linear oscillator equation of the Van der Pol type. The obtained coupled system of non-linear partial differential equations is simplified employing Galerkin-type discretisation. The resulting ordinary differential equations are solved numerically providing multi-mode approximations of cross-flow displacement and non-dimensional lift coefficient. The comparison between the responses of vertical and horizontal structures shows that, as expected, due to a balancing between pretension and weight, in general a higher amplitude of vibration is observed for the vertical configuration than in the same location along the pipe for the horizontal configuration in the lower part of the structure. However, lower amplitudes are obtained in the upper part of the pipe. The horizontal configuration solutions are identical in symmetrical locations along the pipe due to constant pretension. The influence of the wake equation coefficients and the fluid force coefficients on the response amplitudes has been also considered together with the length of the pipe and pretension level, and the appropriate response curves are included. Finally, for the higher mode approximations it has been shown that the vibrations level at lower frequencies is predicted reasonably well by retaining only a small subset of modes.     

Bending-torsional stability analysis of aerodynamically covered pipes with inclined terminal nozzle and concurrent internal and external flows

Stability analysis of a cantilevered pipe with an inclined terminal nozzle as well as simultaneous internal and external fluid flows is investigated in this study. The pipe is embedded in an aerodynamic cover with negligible mass and stiffness simply to streamline the external flow and avoid vortex induced vibrations. The structure of pipe is modeled as an Euler–Bernoulli beam and effects of internal fluid flow including flow-induced inertia, Coriolis and centrifugal forces and the follower force induced by the exhausting jet are taken into account. In addition, neglecting the compressibility effect and using the unsteady Wagner model, aerodynamic loading is determined as a distributed lateral load for any generic structural state. The integral form of coupled equations of motion are obtained using the Hamilton’s principle. Solution to the coupled flexural–torsional equations of motion is realized via the extended Galerkin method. After discretization of the equations of motion, an eigenvalue representation of the problem is obtained. Several parameter studies are then conducted to examine the effects of concurrent fluid flows and other related parameters on the stability margins of the system.     

Dynamic modelling and active vibration control of a submerged rectangular plate equipped with piezoelectric sensors and actuators

The active vibration control of a rectangular plate either partially or fully submerged in a fluid was investigated. Piezoelectric sensors and actuators were bonded to the plate, and the assumed mode method was used to derive a dynamic model for the submerged plate. The properties of the piezoelectric actuators and sensors, as well as their coupling to the structure, were used to derive the corresponding equations of their behaviour. The fluid effect was modelled according to the added virtual mass obtained by solving the Laplace equation. The natural vibration characteristics of the plate both in air and in water were obtained theoretically and were found to be consistent with the experimental results, and the changes in the natural frequencies resulting from submersion in fluid can be accurately predicted. A multi-input, multi-output positive position feedback controller was designed by taking the natural vibration characteristics into account and was then implemented by using a digital controller. The experimental results show that piezoelectric sensors and actuators along with the control algorithm can effectively suppress the vibration of a rectangular plate both in air and submerged in a fluid.     

A fluid–structure interaction model for stability analysis of shells conveying fluid

In this paper, a fluid–structure interaction model for stability analysis of shells conveying fluid is developed. This model is developed for shells of arbitrary geometry and structure and is based on incompressible potential flow. The boundary element method is applied to model the potential flow. The fluid dynamics model is derived by using an inflow/outflow model along with the impermeability condition at the fluid–shell interface. This model is applied to obtain the flow modes and eigenvalues, which are used for the modal representation of the flow field in the shell. Based on the mode shapes and natural frequencies of the shell obtained from an FEM model, the modal analysis technique is used for structural modeling of the shell. Using the linearized Bernoulli equation for unsteady pressure on the fluid–shell interface in combination with the virtual work principle, the generalized structural forces are obtained in terms of the modal coordinates of the fluid flow and the coupled field equations of the fluid–structure are derived. The obtained model is validated by comparison with results in the literature, and very good agreement is demonstrated. Then, some examples are provided to demonstrate the application of the present model to determining the stability conditions of shells with arbitrary geometries.     

Computational study of buoyancy effects in a laminar starting jet

Vortical structures formed in evolving jets are important in applications such as fuel injection in diesel engines and fuel leaks. When the jet fluid is different from the ambient fluid, the buoyancy can play an important role in determining the jet flow structure, and hence, the entrainment and fluid mixing processes. In the present study, a jet of helium injected in air is investigated, with emphasis placed on delineating the buoyancy effects on vector–scalar fields during the starting phase. We utilize a computational model, previously validated to predict the flow field of low-density gas jets. The model incorporates finite volume approach to solve the transport equation of helium mass fraction coupled with conservation equations of mixture mass and momentum. Computations were performed for a laminar jet to characterize the advancing jet front, and to capture the formation and propagation of vortex rings and the related pinch-off process. Results show significant effects of buoyancy on jet advancement, as well as on vorticity and helium concentration in the core of the vortex rings.     

Modelling of the diffusion of fluid particles in turbulent flows approaching a circular cylinder by random Fourier modes and random flight

To investigate the diffusion of fluid particles around a cylinder in a turbulent flow, we have developed two new types of model for simulating the trajectory of particles:(1) a model combining random Fourier modes and random flight (RF); (2) a pure kinematic simulation (KS) by random Fourier modes. In model 1 the large-scale turbulence is simulated by a sum of random Fourier modes varying in space and time, and the small-scale random motion of particles is simply modelled by an Itô type of stochastic differential equation with a memory time comparable to the Lagrangian time scaleT _s ^L of the small-scale motion. In model 2, both large- and small-scale turbulence is simulated using random Fourier modes. The change of turbulence around the cylinder is modelled by rapid distortion theory (RDT), although the small-scale motion of particles in the RF model is simply assumed to keep the homogeneous random behaviour. These models give very similar and realistic trajectories showing rapid changes of direction due to the small-scale motion.     

A NUMERICAL METHOD FOR SIMULATING NONLINEAR FLUID-RIGID STRUCTURE INTERACTION PROBLEMS

A numerical method for simulating nonlinear fluid-rigid structure interaction problems is developed. The structure is assumed to undergo large rigid body motions and the fluid flow is governed by nonlinear, viscous or non-viscous, field equations with nonlinear boundary conditions applied to the free surface and fluid-solid interaction interfaces. An Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) mesh system is used to construct the numerical model. A multi-block numerical scheme of study is adopted allowing for the relative motion between moving overset grids, which are independent of one another. This provides a convenient method to overcome the difficulties in matching fluid meshes with large solid motions. Nonlinear numerical equations describing nonlinear fluid-solid interaction dynamics are derived through a numerical discretization scheme of study. A coupling iteration process is used to solve these numerical equations. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate applications of the model developed.     

Thermal Vibrational Convection in Rotating Cavities

The average vibrational motion of a nonisothermal fluid in a uniformly rotating cavity is described theoretically. Equations are obtained using the averaging technique in the high-frequency vibration approximation. It is found that the rotation significantly affects both the intensity of the average flows and the structure of the pulsatory velocity field generating resonance amplification of the fluid vibrations ar certain ratios of the rotation frequency and the force field oscillation frequency. This makes rotation an important controlling factor ensuring a strong averaged effect under relatively weak vibrational action. The problem of excitation of vibrational convection in a plane rotating layer is considered on the basis of the equations obtained when the vibration frequency substantially exceeds the rotation frequency.     

Hamiltonian structure for a neutrally buoyant rigid body interacting with N vortex rings of arbitrary shape: the case of arbitrary smooth body shape

We present a (noncanonical) Hamiltonian model for the interaction of a neutrally buoyant, arbitrarily shaped smooth rigid body with N thin closed vortex filaments of arbitrary shape in an infinite ideal fluid in Euclidean three-space. The rings are modeled without cores and, as geometrical objects, viewed as N smooth closed curves in space. The velocity field associated with each ring in the absence of the body is given by the Biot–Savart law with the infinite self-induced velocity assumed to be regularized in some appropriate way. In the presence of the moving rigid body, the velocity field of each ring is modified by the addition of potential fields associated with the image vorticity and with the irrotational flow induced by the motion of the body. The equations of motion for this dynamically coupled body-rings model are obtained using conservation of linear and angular momenta. These equations are shown to possess a Hamiltonian structure when written on an appropriately defined Poisson product manifold equipped with a Poisson bracket which is the sum of the Lie–Poisson bracket from rigid body mechanics and the canonical bracket on the phase space of the vortex filaments. The Hamiltonian function is the total kinetic energy of the system with the self-induced kinetic energy regularized. The Hamiltonian structure is independent of the shape of the body, (and hence) the explicit form of the image field, and the method of regularization, provided the self-induced velocity and kinetic energy are regularized in way that satisfies certain reasonable consistency conditions.      

Nonlinear dispersive waves in a relaxing medium

The dispersion of nonlinear waves in a relaxing medium is analysed by making use of the evolution equations for longitudinal waves. The dispersion relations are obtained and the behaviour of the waves compared to those that arise when they are governed by the well-known Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) and Benjamin-Bona-Mahony (BBM) equations that describe unidirectional motion and also by the time regularized long wave (TRLW) equation that describes bi-directional motion. The nonlinear steady wave solutions are obtained. The general mathematical model used throughout this paper is obtained by the theory of nonlinear elasticity with weak relaxation effects (standard viscoelasticity). A further generalization using a four-element model is also discussed briefly.     

On dynamic behaviour of medium-thickness plates with uniperiodic structure

Summary An averaging 2-D model of a rectangular plate with unidirectional microperiodic structure is presented in this paper. The approach is partly based on the results exposed in [7]. The model describes the length-scale effect, i.e. the influence of the size of microstructure on the overall dynamic plate behaviour. This effect has not yet been considered in the literature on asymptotic homogenized models of periodic plates. The equations of motion of the elastic plate are introduced according to the Hencky-Bolle assumptions. It is demonstrated that the dynamics of plates with unidirectional periodic structure cannot be treated as a specific case of those with bidirectional periodicity. A lower frequency of free vibrations of a linear - elastic plate band has been determined and compared with the numerical results obtained by the FEM, revealing the consistence of the proposed method. However, a higher free vibration frequency depends in this contribution on the length-scale and cannot be derived using the homogenized plate model.     

Reduced order modelling method via proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) for flow around an oscillating cylinder

This paper presents reduced order modelling (ROM) in fluid–structure interaction (FSI). The ROM via the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method has been chosen, due to its efficiency in the domain of fluid mechanics. POD-ROM is based on a low-order dynamical system obtained by projecting the nonlinear Navier–Stokes equations on a smaller number of POD modes. These POD modes are spatial and temporally independent. In FSI, the fluid and structure domains are moving, owing to which the POD method cannot be applied directly to reduce the equations of each domain. This article proposes to compute the POD modes for a global velocity field (fluid and solid), and then to construct a low-order dynamical system. The structure domain can be decomposed as a rigid domain, with a finite number of degrees of freedom. This low-order dynamical system is obtained by using a multiphase method similar to the fictitious domain method. This multiphase method extends the Navier–Stokes equations to the solid domain by using a penalisation method and a Lagrangian multiplier. By projecting these equations on the POD modes obtained for the global velocity field, a nonlinear low-order dynamical system is obtained and tested on a case of high Reynolds number.     

Vibration modelling of structural networks using a hybrid finite element/wave and finite element approach

The vibration modelling of waveguide structures is considered. These structures comprise waveguides connected via joints. Traditionally, analytical models of the wave behaviour of such structures can be developed if they are simple (beams or rods connected at point joints, etc.). However, if the waveguides are of complicated constructions (truss-like, layered media, etc.) or the joints are complicated (e.g. of significant physical dimensions), obtaining the wave characteristics might be a formidable task. In this paper, such structures are modelled using a hybrid finite element/wave and finite element (FE/WFE) approach. The waveguides are modelled using the WFE method and thus their wave characteristics are obtained regardless of the complexity of their cross-section. The joints are modelled using standard FE, and the WFE and FE models are coupled to yield the scattering properties of the joints. The propagation and scattering models are assembled to describe the behaviour of the structure using relatively small models, while also providing information for other applications such as structure-borne sound, statistical energy analysis, etc. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the approach.     

Approximate solutions for power-law fluid flow past a particle at low Reynolds numbers

A simple perturbation approximation is proposed for describing flow behaviour of particles immersed in a uniform flow and an extensional flow of power-law fluids. The present solution for particles in a uniform flow field is in good agreement with the numerical solution in the literature. Theoretical predictions indicate that the effect of pseudoplasticity on flow around particles in an extensional flow field is small compared with that for particles in a uniform flow field.From the viewpoint of perturbation techniques, existing analytical solutions based on linearization of the equations of motion for particle in a power-law fluid are re-examined. Mass transfer to a power-law fluid from a particle is also discussed.     

Development of Gas-Particle Euler-Euler LES Approach: A Priori Analysis of Particle Sub-Grid Models in Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence

A new large eddy simulation (LES) approach for particle-laden turbulent flows in the framework of the Eulerian formalism for inertial particle statistical modelling is developed. Local instantaneous Eulerian equations for the particle cloud are first written using the mesoscopic Eulerian formalism (MEF) proposed by Février et al. (J Fluid Mech 533:1–46, 2005), which accounts for the contribution of an uncorrelated velocity component for inertial particles with relaxation time larger than the Kolmogorov time scale. Second, particle LES equations are obtained by volume filtering the mesoscopic Eulerian ones. In such an approach, the particulate flow at larger scales than the filter width is recovered while sub-grid effects need to be modelled. Particle eddy-viscosity, scale similarity and mixed sub-grid stress (SGS) models derived from fluid compressible turbulence SGS models are presented. Evaluation of such models is performed using three sets of particle Lagrangian results computed from discrete particle simulation (DPS) coupled with fluid direct numerical simulation (DNS) of homogeneous isotropic decaying turbulence. The two phase flow regime corresponds to the dilute one where two-way coupling and inter-particle collisions are not considered. The different particle Stokes number (based on Kolmogorov time scale) are initially equal to 1, 2.2 and 5.1. The mesoscopic field properties are analysed in detail by considering the particle velocity probability function (PDF), correlated velocity power spectra and random uncorrelated velocity moments. The mesoscopic fields measured from DPS+DNS are then filtered to obtain large scale fields. A priori evaluation of particle sub-grid stress models gives comparable agreement than for fluid compressible turbulence models. It has been found that the standard Smagorinsky eddy-viscosity model exhibits the smaller correlation coefficients, the scale similarity model shows very good correlation coefficient but strongly underestimates the sub-grid dissipation and the mixed model is on the whole superior to pure eddy-viscosity model.