The comparison model method: A new arithmetic approach to the discrete inverse problem of groundwater hydrology

Let the steady-state pressure z(·) of a fluid in a one-dimensional domain be governed by the equation d _x (a d _x z) = f subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions. We consider the identification of the transmissivity a (·), given f(·), and measured pressure z(·) by the comparison model method, a direct method which has been known and applied for some time but lacked theoretical background. With reference to a domain in one spatial dimension, we examine both the infinite-(‘continuous’) and finite-(discrete) dimensional cases. In the former, the method is based on the solution p(·) of an auxiliary flow equation, where f(·) and the two-point boundary conditions are unchanged with respect to the original or z(·) equation, whereas a tentative constant value b is assigned to the auxiliary transmissivity. The ratio of the first derivatives of p(·) and z(·) multiplied by b yields a solution ã(·) to the inverse problem. We examine in detail the nonuniqueness of ã(·) as a function of b, some cases where existence implies uniqueness, the role of positivity constraints, and a special feature: self-identifiability. We then translate all available results into the discrete case, where the good unknowns for the inverse problem are the internode coefficients. Several algebraic and numerical examples are presented.     

POD analysis of a finite-length cylinder near wake

The near wake of a wall-mounted finite-length square cylinder with an aspect ratio of 7 is investigated based on the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) of the PIV data measured in three spanwise planes, i.e., z/d = 6, 3.5 and 1.0, near the cylinder free end, mid-span and fixed end (wall), respectively. The Reynolds number based on free-stream velocity (U _∞) and cylinder width (d) is 9,300. A two-dimensional (2D) square cylinder wake is also measured and analyzed at the same Reynolds number for the purpose of comparison. The structures of various POD modes show marked differences between the two flows. While the coefficients, a ₁ and a ₂, of the POD modes 1 and 2 occur within an annular area centered at a ₁ = a ₂ = 0 in the 2D wake, their counterparts are scattered all over the entire circular plane at z/d = 1.0 and 3.5 of the finite-length cylinder wake. Flow at z/d = 6 is dominated by POD mode 1, which corresponds to symmetrical vortex shedding and accounts for 54.0 % of the total turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). On the other hand, the POD modes 1 and 2, corresponding to anti-symmetrical vortex shedding, are predominant, accounting for about 45.0 % of the total TKE, at z/d = 3.5 and 1. It has been found that the flow structure may be qualitatively and quantitatively characterized by the POD coefficients. For example, at z/d = 6, a larger a ₁ corresponds to a smaller length of flow reversal zone and a stronger downwash flow. At z/d = 3.5 and 1, two typical flow modes can be identified from a ₁ and a ₂. While large a ₁ and/or a ₂ correspond to anti-symmetrical vortex shedding, as in a 2D cylinder wake, small a ₁ and a ₂ lead to symmetrical vortex shedding. Any values between the large and small a ₁ and/or a ₂ correspond to the flow structure between these two typical flow modes. As such, the probability of occurrence of a flow structure may be determined from the distribution of the POD coefficients.     

Exact analytic solutions for free convection boundary layers on a heated vertical plate with lateral mass flux embedded in a saturated porous medium

 The problem of the self-similar boundary flow of a “Darcy-Boussinesq fluid” on a vertical plate with temperature distribution T _w(x) = T _∞+A·x ^λ and lateral mass flux v _w(x) = a·x ^(λ−1)/2, embedded in a saturated porous medium is revisited. For the parameter values λ = 1,−1/3 and −1/2 exact analytic solutions are written down and the characteristics of the corresponding boundary layers are discussed as functions of the suction/ injection parameter in detail. The results are compared with the numerical findings of previous authors. Received on 8 March 1999     

Heat and mass transfer characteristics of the self-similar boundary-layer flows induced by continuous surfaces stretched with rapidly decreasing velocities

The mechanical and thermal characteristics of the self-similar boundary-layer flows induced by continuous surfaces stretched with rapidly decreasing power-law velocities U _w∝x ^m , m<?1 are considered. Comparing to the well studied cases of the increasing stretching velocities (m>0) several new features of basic significance have been found. Thus: (i) for m<?1 the boundary layer equations admit self-similar solutions only if a lateral suction is applied; (ii) the dimensionless suction velocity f _w<0 must be strong enough, i.e. f _w<f _w,max(m) where f _w,max(m) depends on m so that its absolute maximum max (f _w,max(m))=?2.279 is reached for m→?∞, while for m→?1, f _w,max(m)→?∞; (iii) the case {m→?∞, f _w,max(m)=?2.279} of the flow boundary value problem is isomorphic to the stretching problems with exponentially decreasing velocities U _w∝e ^ax with arbitrary a<0; (iv) for any fixed m<?1 and f _w<f _w,max(m) the flow problem admits a non-denumerable infinity of multiple solutions corresponding to the values of the dimensionless skin friction f ^″(0)≡s belonging to a finite interval s∈ [s _min(f _w,m), s _max(f _w,m)]; (v) the solution is only unique for f _w=f _w,max(m) where s=s _min(f _w,m)= s _max(f _w,m) holds; (vi) to every one of the multiple solutions of the flow problem there corresponds a unique solution of the heat transfer problem with a wall temperature distribution T _w?T _∞∝x ⁿ and a well defined and distinct value of the dimensionless wall temperature gradient ?^′(0), except for the cases n=(|m|?1)/2 where ?^′(0) has the same value ?^′(0)=Pr·f _w for the whole class of flow solutions with s∈[s _min(f _w,m), s _max(f _w,m)]; (vii) for f _w→?∞ one obtains the `asymptotic suction profiles' corresponding to s=s _min(f _w,m)?f _w and ?^′(0)?Pr·f _w in an explicit analytic form. The paper includes several examples which illustrate the dependence of the heat and fluid flows induced by surfaces stretching with rapidly decreasing velocities on the physical parameters f _w, m, n and Pr.     

Determination of source parameter in parabolic equations

The authors consider the problem of finding u=u(x, t) and p=p(t) which satisfy u = Lu + p(t) + F(x, t, u, _x, p(t)) in Q _T=Ω×(0, T], u(x, 0)=ø(x), x∈Ω, u(x, t)=g(x, t) on ?Ω×(0, T] and either ∫_G(t) Φ(x,t)u(x,t)dx = E(t), 0 ? t ? T or u(x₀, t)=E(t), 0≤t≤T, where Ω?R ⁿ is a bounded domain with smooth boundary ?Ω, x ₀∈Ω, L is a linear elliptic operator, G(t)?Ω, and F, ø, g, and E are known functions. For each of the two problems stated above, we demonstrate the existence, unicity and continuous dependence upon the data. Some considerations on the numerical solution for these two inverse problems are presented with examples.     

Homogenization of a degenerate parabolic problem in a highly heteregeneous mediumHomogénéisation d'un problème parabolique dégénéré dans un milieu fortement hétérogène

We consider the homogenization of a time-dependent heat transfer problem in a highly heteregeneous periodic medium made of two connected components having finite heat capacities c_α(x) and heat conductivities a_α(x), α=1,2, of order one, separated by a third material with thickness of order ε the size of the basic periodicity cell, but with conductivity λa₃(x) where a₃=O(1) and λ tends to zero with ε. Assuming only that c_i(x)?0 a.e., such that the problem can degenerate (parabolic-elliptic), we identify the homogenized problem following the values of δ=lim_ε→0ε²/λ. To cite this article: M. Mabrouk, A. Boughammoura, C. R. Mecanique 331 (2003).     

The free jets as boundary-layer flows induced by continuous stretching surfaces

This paper proves that the free laminar jets of the classical hydrodynamics may be identified with certain boundary-layer flows induced by continuous surfaces immersed in quiescent incompressible fluids and stretched with well-defined velocities. In this sense: (i) Schlichting's round jet of momentum flow coincides with the axisymmetric flow induced by a thin continuous wire issuing from a small orifice at x=0 and stretching along the x-axis with velocity U _w(x) = 3J˙/(8πρνx), and (ii) the Schlichting–Bickley plane jet of momentum flow J˙ coincides with the boundary-layer flow induced by an impermeable plane wall issuing from a long slit (of length l) and stretching with velocity U _w(x)= [{3J˙ ²/(32νρ² l ² x)}]^1/3.     

Coherent structure in the turbulent wake behind a circular cylinder 2. numerical simulation using the vortex filament model

In the previous paper the authors reported observing the formation of a spoon-shaped vortex chain in a wake behind a circular cylinder as a coherent structure in turbulence. In this report numerical simulation is carried out based on the assumption that the structure is formed by deformation of the Kánnán vortices. The basic equation is the localized induction equation for a single vortex filament with an influence of the background mean flow. The vortex filament is given an initial deformation within a plane at an angle θ to the x−z plane (x is the mean flow direct and z the spanwise direction) with the width Z_w, and the further deformation process of the filament is numerically traced. The first calculation is made with fixed Z_w and various values of θ. The result shows that the vortex filament finally reaches a structure lying on a plane with a constant angle of 30° ~ 45° to the x-z plane irrespective of the initial values of θ. The second calculation is made with fixed θ and various values of Z_w. In this case the final spanwise scale of the deformed region of the filament has almost constant values of about 4d−6d (d is diameter of the cylinder). These results indicate that the final structure of the vortex filament is stable and definite irrespective of the initial disturbances.     

Effect of a Uniform Horizontal Throughflow on the Darcy Free Convection over a Permeable Vertical Plate with Volumetric Heat Generation

This article deals with the steady Darcy free convection adjacent to a heated or cooled permeable vertical flat plate of constant temperature, which is embedded in a fluid-saturated porous medium of uniform ambient temperature T _∞. There is a uniform horizontal throughflow of the fluid and a volumetric heat generation q′′′ takes place, which is considered to be a power-law function of the local temperature difference T ? T _∞, i.e., q′′′ ~ (T ? T _∞) ⁿ . To be specific, two cases of this type of volumetric heat generation are considered in the analysis in some detail, namely, the linear and the quadratic cases, n = 1 and n = 2, respectively.     

Linearized Stability for Semiflows Generated by a Class of Neutral Equations,with Applications to State-Dependent Delays

We prove a principle of linearized stability for semiflows generated by neutral functional differential equations of the form x′(t) = g(? x _t , x _t ). The state space is a closed subset in a manifold of C ²-functions. Applications include equations with state-dependent delay, as for example x′(t) = a x′(t + d(x(t))) + f (x(t + r(x(t)))) with \({a\in\mathbb{R}, d:\mathbb{R}\to(-h,0), f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}, r:\mathbb{R}\to[-h,0]}\).     

Unsteady free convection on a vertical cylinder with variable heat and mass flux

The unsteady natural convection boundary layer flow over a semi-infinite vertical cylinder is considered with combined buoyancy force effects, for the situation in which the surface temperature T ^′ _w(x) and C ^′ _w(x) are subjected to the power-law surface heat and mass flux as K(T ^′/r) = −ax ⁿ and D(C ^′/r) = −bx ^m . The governing equations are solved by an implicit finite difference scheme of Crank-Nicolson method. Numerical results are obtained for different values of Prandtl number, Schmidt number ‘n’ and ‘m’. The velocity, temperature and concentration profiles, local and average skin-friction, Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are shown graphically. The local Nusselt and Sherwood number of the present study are compared with the available result and a good agreement is found to exist. Received on 7 July 1998     

Regularity of Optimal Maps on the Sphere: the Quadratic Cost and the Reflector Antenna

Building on the results of Ma et al. (in Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 177(2), 151–183 (2005)), and of the author Loeper (in Acta Math., to appear), we study two problems of optimal transportation on the sphere: the first corresponds to the cost function d ²(x, y), where d(·, ·) is the Riemannian distance of the round sphere; the second corresponds to the cost function ?log |x ? y|, known as the reflector antenna problem. We show that in both cases, the cost-sectional curvature is uniformly positive, and establish the geometrical properties so that the results of Loeper (in Acta Math., to appear) and Ma et al. (in Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 177(2), 151–183 (2005)) can apply: global smooth solutions exist for arbitrary smooth positive data and optimal maps are Hölder continuous under weak assumptions on the data.     

On the free energy and variational theorem of elastic problem in thermal shock

In some investigations on variational principle for coupled thermoelastic problems, the free energy Φ(e_ij,θ) ,where the state variables are elastic strain e_ij and temperature increment θ, is expressed as Φ(e_ij,θ)=λ/2e_kke_ij=ue_k1e_k1-γe_kkθ-c/2 p θ²/T₀(0.1) This expression is employed only under the condition of |θ|≤T₀(absolute temperature of reference) But the value of temperature increment is great, even greater than T₀ in thermal shock. And the material properties (λ ,μ ,ν ,c , etc.) will not remain constant, they vary with θ. The expression of free energy for this condition.is derived in this paper. Equation (0.1) is its special case.Euler’s equations will be nonlinear while this expression of free energy has been introduced into variational theorem. In order to linearise, the time interval of thermal shock is divided into a number of time elements Δt_k, (Δt_k=t_k-t_k-1,k=1,2…,n), which are so small that the temperature increment θ_k within it is very small, too. Thus, the material properties may be defined by temperature field T_k-1=T(x₁,x₂,x₃,t_k-1) at instant t_k-1 , and the free energy Φ_k expressed by eg. (0.1) may be employed in element Δt_k.Hence the variational theorem will be expressed partly and approximately.     

Pressure probe with five embedded flush-mounted sensors: unsteady pressure and velocity measurements in hydraulic turbine model

Picosecond Unstable-resonator Spatially Enhanced Detection Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (USED-CARS) is used for the measurement of nitrogen Q-branch (ΔJ = 0) spectra in the subsonic plenum and supersonic flow of a highly nonequilibrium Mach 5 wind tunnel. Spectra are processed to infer rotational/translational (T _rot) and first-level vibrational (T _vib) temperatures in the 200–370 torr plenum simultaneously. Operation of the nominally high reduced electric field (E/n _peak ~ 500 Td), nsec pulsed discharge alone results in fairly significant vibrational loading, T _vib ~ 720 K/T _rot ~ 380 K; addition of an orthogonal low E/n (~10 Td) DC sustainer discharge produces substantial vibrational loading, T _vib ~ 2,000 K/T _rot ~ 450 K. Effects of injection of CO₂, NO, and H₂ downstream of the pulser–sustainer discharge are examined, which result in vibrational relaxation accompanied by simultaneous gas heating, T _vib ~ 800–1,000 K/T _rot ~ 600 K. CARSk measurements within very low-density flows in the Mach 5 expansion nozzle are also performed, with T _vib measured in both the supersonic free-stream and downstream of a bow shock created by a 5-mm-diameter cylindrical test object in the Mach 5 flow. Measurements within 300 μm of the cylinder leading edge show that for pure N₂, or N₂ with 0.25 torr CO₂ injection, no vibrational relaxation is observed behind the bow shock.     

Some new classes of inverse coefficient problems in non-linear mechanics and computational material science

Three classes of inverse coefficient problems arising in engineering mechanics and computational material science are considered. Mathematical models of all considered problems are proposed within the J₂-deformation theory of plasticity. The first class is related to the determination of unknown elastoplastic properties of a beam from a limited number of torsional experiments. The inverse problem here consists of identifying the unknown coefficient g(ξ²) (plasticity function) in the non-linear differential equation of torsional creep −(g(|∇u|²)u_x1)_x1−(g(|∇u|²)u_x2)_x2=2?, x∈Ω⊂R², from the torque (or torsional rigidity) T(?), given experimentally. The second class of inverse problems is related to the identification of elastoplastic properties of a 3D body from spherical indentation tests. In this case one needs to determine unknown Lame coefficients in the system of PDEs of non-linear elasticity, from the measured spherical indentation loading curve P=P(α), obtained during the quasi-static indentation test. In the third model an inverse problem of identifying the unknown coefficient g(ξ²(u)) in the non-linear bending equation is analyzed. The boundary measured data here is assumed to be the deflections w_i[τ_k]?w(λ_i;τ_k), measured during the quasi-static bending process, given by the parameter τ_k, , at some points , of a plate. An existence of weak solutions of all direct problems are derived in appropriate Sobolev spaces, by using monotone potential operator theory. Then monotone iteration schemes for all the linearized direct problems are proposed. Strong convergence of solutions of the linearized problems, as well as rates of convergence is proved. Based on obtained continuity property of the direct problem solution with respect to coefficients, and compactness of the set of admissible coefficients, an existence of quasi-solutions of all considered inverse problems is proved. Some numerical results, useful from the points of view of engineering mechanics and computational material science, are demonstrated.     

Wavefronts for a cooperative tridiagonal system of differential equations

Consider the infinite system of nonlinear differential equations \(\dot u\) _n =f(_n?1, u_n, u_n+1),nε?, wherefεC ¹,D ₁ f > 0,D ₃ f>0, andf(0, 0, 0) = 0 =f(1, 1, 1). Existence of wavefronts—i.e., solutions of the formu _n (t) = U(n + ct), wherecε?,U(? ∞) = 0,U(+∞) = 1, andU is strictly increasing—is shown for functionsf which satisfy the condition: there existsa, 0<a<1, such thatf(x, x,x)<0 for 0<x<a andf(x, x, x) > 0 fora < x < 1.     

Rheology of SiO2/(acrylic polymer/epoxy) suspensions. II. Nonlinear stress relaxation

Large deformation, nonlinear stress relaxation modulus G(t, γ) was examined for the SiO₂ suspensions in a blend of acrylic polymer (AP) and epoxy (EP) with various SiO₂ volume fractions (?) at various temperatures (T). The AP/EP contained 70 vol.% of EP. At ??≤?30 vol.%, the SiO₂/(AP/EP) suspensions behaved as a viscoelastic liquid, and the time-strain separability, G(t, γ)?=?G(t)h(γ), was applicable at long time. The h(γ) of the suspensions was more strongly dependent on γ than that of the matrix (AP/EP). At ??=?35 vol.% and T?=?100°C, and ??≥?40 vol.%, the time-strain separability was not applicable. The suspensions exhibited a critical gel behavior at ??=?35 vol.% and T?=?100°C characterized with a power law relationship between G(t) and t; G(t)?∝?t ^???n . The relaxation exponent n was estimated to be about 0.45, which was in good agreement with the result of linear dynamic viscoelasticity reported previously. G(t, γ) also could be approximately expressed by the relation $G(t,\gamma) \propto t^{-n^{\prime}}$ at ??=?40 vol.%. The exponent n ^′ increased with increasing γ. This nonlinear stress relaxation behavior is attributable to strain-induced disruption of the network structure formed by the SiO₂ particles therein.     

Thermo-damage-viscoelastic constitutive model of HTPB composite propellant

The main goal of this work is to establish a thermo-damage-viscoelastic model for Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) composite propellant based on the thermodynamic theory and elastic–viscoelastic correspondence principles. The model will also consider the influence of temperatures. The parameter α which represent the damage evolution rate and the material constants a, b are defined as exponential functions of temperature T, i.e. α(T), a(T) and b(T). Relaxation tests and uniaxial constant rate tensile tests are used to acquire the model parameters, and C(S) curves of different rates under the same temperature states are considered to be overlapped in this paper, while noncoincidence under the different temperature states. Then, uniaxial constant rate tensile tests and multi-step tensile-relaxation tests are used to verify the accuracy of the model. The results show that, the model is highly accurate in describing the mechanical property of HTPB under various loading conditions, but some drawback in describing the relaxation property inside of the HTPB’s nonlinear viscoelastic segments.     

NEAR-WAKE FLOW STRUCTURE OF A CYLINDER WITH A HELICAL SURFACE PERTURBATION

The near-wake of a circular cylinder having a helical wire pattern about its surface is characterized using a technique of high-image-density velocimetry. Patterns of vorticity in three orthogonal planes show substantial influence of a wire having a diameter an order of magnitude smaller than the cylinder diameter. The distinctive patterns of vorticity in these three planes are associated with lack of formation of large-scale Kármán-like clusters of vorticity (ω_z) in the near-wake region of the cylinder. The instantaneous structure of the separating spanwise vorticity (ω_z) layers on either side of the cylinder involve small-scale concentrations of vorticity analogous to the well-known Kelvin–Helmholtz vortices from a smooth cylinder. Moreover, a dual vorticity layer, i.e., two adjacent layers of like vorticity (ω_z), can form from one side of the cylinder. Along the span of the cylinder, distributions of instantaneous velocity and transverse vorticity (ω_y) show a spatially periodic sequence of wake-like patterns, each of which has features in common with the very near-wake of a two-dimensional bluff body, including a large velocity defect bounded by vorticity layers with embedded small-scale vorticity concentrations. In the cross-flow plane of the wake, patterns of streamwise vorticity (ω_x) show small-scale, counter-rotating pairs of vorticity concentrations (ω_x) emanating from the inclined helical perturbation, rather than isolated concentrations of vorticity of like sign, which would indicate single streamwise vortices. All of the aforementioned patterns of small-scale vorticity concentrations are scaled according to the local wake width/local pitch of the helical wire pattern in the respective plane of observation.     

Streamwise evolution of an inclined cylinder wake

The streamwise evolution of an inclined circular cylinder wake was investigated by measuring all three velocity and vorticity components using an eight-hotwire vorticity probe in a wind tunnel at a Reynolds number Re_d of 7,200 based on free stream velocity (U _∞) and cylinder diameter (d). The measurements were conducted at four different inclination angles (α), namely 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° and at three downstream locations, i.e., x/d = 10, 20, and 40 from the cylinder. At x/d = 10, the effects of α on the three coherent vorticity components are negligibly small for α ≤ 15°. When α increases further to 45°, the maximum of coherent spanwise vorticity reduces by about 50%, while that of the streamwise vorticity increases by about 70%. Similar results are found at x/d = 20, indicating the impaired spanwise vortices and the enhancement of the three-dimensionality of the wake with increasing α. The streamwise decay rate of the coherent spanwise vorticity is smaller for a larger α. This is because the streamwise spacing between the spanwise vortices is bigger for a larger α, resulting in a weak interaction between the vortices and hence slower decaying rate in the streamwise direction. For all tested α, the coherent contribution to [`(v<sup>2</sup>)] \overline{{v^{2}}} is remarkable at x/d = 10 and 20 and significantly larger than that to [`(u²)] \overline{{u^{2}}} and [`(w<sup>2</sup>)]. \overline{{w^{2}}}. This contribution to all three Reynolds normal stresses becomes negligibly small at x/d = 40. The coherent contribution to [`(u²)] \overline{{u^{2}}} and [`(v²)] \overline{{v^{2}}} decays slower as moving downstream for a larger α, consistent with the slow decay of the coherent spanwise vorticity for a larger α.