External motion resistance caused by rut sinkage of a tracked vehicle

This paper deals with the external motion resistance of a tracked vehicle caused by rut formation (sinkage) or compression of soil under the tracks. It is shown that the relationship between the applied load and the sinkage for a loading test using a plate is represented by a hyperbola. Based on the above relationship, the external motion resistance caused by the rut formation of a tracked vehicle is estimated by considering the work done by overcoming the ground pressure and the resistance. Further, measurements of the external motion resistance were carried out by using a tracked vehicle and the experimental results are compared with the theoretical ones, and the reliability of the above method is confirmed experimentally.     

Creation, transportation, and coalescence of liquid drops by means of a light beam

A novel principle of manipulation of discrete drops using concentration-capillary forces controlled by the thermal action of a light beam is proposed. The drops are created by the light beam in a thin layer of absorbing solution and in a film of that solution beneath an air bubble in the cell. The possibility of transporting both a single drop and a drop in an air bubble by means of a light beam is demonstrated. For the first time two drops are made to coalesce on a solid substrate by bringing them into contact by means of a light beam.     

Correlation between thermal and rheological studies to characterize the behavior of bitumen

The objective of this work is a comprehensive thermo-rheological study of pure bitumen. The bitumen is a complex material consisting of asphaltenes dispersed in a maltene matrix. As a consequence, its flow behavior is characterized by the presence of a yield stress, which depends on temperature below 50°C. Applying the Cox–Merz rule, a master curve of viscosity can be obtained over a wide range of shear rates for temperatures above 50°C. It can be accurately modeled by a Carreau–Yasuda law with a yield stress. This specific rheological behavior can be explained by the changes induced by the temperature on the microstructure, evidenced by modulated differential scanning calorimetry measurements.     

Acoustic emission from interaction of a vortex ring with a sphere

Acoustic waves emitted by a vortex ring interacting with a fixed solid sphere are studied experimentally and theoretically. The experiments are carried out for two kindsof vortex-sphere arrangement: (A) a vortex ring passes over the sphere, and (B) a vortex ring passes by the sphere. The vortex motion is examined optically by means of a photosensor system, and the pressure signals of the emitted wave are detected by 1/2-inch microphones in the far field. In case A, the measured diameter of the vortex ring after passing the sphere increases from its initial diameter. The observed acoustic wave is dominated mainly by a dipole emission, and some contribution from a quadrupole radiation is present. In case B, the emitted wave is characterized by a rotating dipole emission in which the dipole axis rotates as the vortex position changes relative to the sphere.     

Design of a probe microphone

Measuring a fluctuating pressure at a discrete point in an air flow requires a narrow probe connected by a transmission tube (of arbitrary length) to the membrane chamber of a microphone. A correct transmission of the pressure in the tube is achieved by a special construction of the chamber giving the tube the characteristic specific acoustic impedance at its terminal. The chamber is accordingly shunted to the ambient atmosphere by a narrow slit; the effect of the inertia of the slit is balanced by the capacity of the chamber, the resistance constitutes the required real impedance.     

Pumping of a fluid through a microchannel by means of a bubble driven by a light beam

A new method of pumping a fluid through a microchannel device using a gas bubble-piston, set in motion by the thermocapillary force induced by a light beam, is proposed. To demonstrate the method, a model micropump has been assembled. The model consists of two reservoirs connected by two channels with a bubble-piston driven by a light beam. The pumping rate and the volume per piston stroke are evaluated experimentally. The method proposed is compared with known microfluid pumping methods. Some advantages of the new method are indicated.     

Mechanism by which a frictionally confined rod loses stability under initial velocity and position perturbations

We present a theory to reveal for the first time the distinct mechanisms by which a compressed rod confined in a channel buckles in the presence of dry friction. Contrary to the case of a frictionless contact, with friction the system can bear substantially enhanced compressive load without buckling after its stiffness turns negative, and the onset of instability is strongly affected by the amount of perturbation set by the environment. Our theory, confirmed by simulations, shows that friction enhances stability by opening a wide stable zone in the perturbation space. Buckling is initiated when the applied compressive force is such that the boundary of the stable zone touches a point set by the environment, at a much higher critical load. Furthermore, our analysis shows that friction has a strong effect on the buckling mode; an increase in friction is found to lead to higher buckling modes.     

A full-field procedure for evaluating the elastic properties of advanced ceramics

In the present paper, a procedure is described whereby the elastic properties of a ceramic material are evaluated during a biaxial flexure test. The disk specimen is supported on three points and loaded by a uniform pressure on the opposite face. The whole displacement field undergone by the upper face, measured by a digital speckle interferometer, is approximated by a set of polynomials whose weights depend on the elastic properties. This dependence, previously determined by finite element analysis, is exploited to derive the values of the elastic properties from the displacement field experimentally detected. The procedure proposed was applied to a silicon carbide specimen.     

The resistance of metallic plates to localized impulse

The responses of metallic plates and sandwich panels to localized impulse are examined by using a dynamic plate test protocol supported by simulations. The fidelity of the simulation approach is assessed by comparing predictions of the deformations of a strong-honeycomb-core panel with measurements. The response is interpreted by comparing and contrasting the deformations with those experienced by the same sandwich panel (and an equivalent solid plate) subjected to a planar impulse. Comparisons based on the center point displacement reveal the following paradox. The honeycomb panel is superior to a solid plate when subjected to a planar impulse, but inferior when localized. The insights gained from an interpretation of these results are used to demonstrate that a new design with a doubly-corrugated soft core outperforms solid plates both for planar and localized impulses.     

Flow disturbance in polymer melt behind an obstacle

In polymer processing weld-lines occur when a polymer melt is separated and then reunited. The internal structure of a weld-line region is determined by the rheological state of the reunited melt streams. An experimental investigation of the region of interest within the mold is almost impossible. Thus, computer simulation is necessary to examine weld-lines. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the flow behavior at a weld-line interface which was caused by a flow obstacle. The results show a gradual increase of the velocity within a short distance behind the obstacle which coincides with a short weld-line determined by the advancement of the flow fronts obtained from conventional mold filling studies. However, based on the residence time history of the melt there is a weld-line over the full length of the part. Its formation mechanism was additionally described by experimental filling studies by the sandwich injection molding technique. In conclusion, the formation of the weld-line should be determined not only by the flow fronts, but also by the thermo-rheological history of the reunited melt streams. Received: 18 September 1997 Accepted: 3 March 1998     

The genetically optimized tunnel-entrance hood

A numerical procedure is investigated for optimizing the design of tunnel-entrance hoods used for controlling the compression wave generated when a high-speed train enters a tunnel. Long hoods are required for long tunnels and train speeds exceeding about 350 km/h. The hood must minimize the maximum pressure gradient across the compression wave-front by taking advantage of the pressure-release provided by open windows distributed along one or both of its walls. The compression wave produced by the train can be evaluated by means of a rapid computational scheme devised and validated against experiment. Optimization is achieved by representing a possible distribution of windows by a binary string. The individuals in an initial, random population of such strings are allowed to ‘mate’ and evolve by ‘natural selection’ through several generations towards an optimal configuration by application of a genetic algorithm. The genetically fittest hood is associated with the minimum possible maximum pressure gradient for prescribed values of the train speed and hood dimensions. The algorithm yields an optimal design from among a theoretically unlimited number of possibilities; it can also supply near-optimal, smoothly varying window distributions (or optimize the variation in width of a long slit-like window in the hood wall) satisfying additional constraints imposed by the designer.     

Effect of a shock wave on heat propagation

The nature of the propagation of a thermal wave produced by a powerful explosion was described in a number of papers, for example, [1–6]. It was shown by a numerical method [4] that a shock wave is present together with the thermal wave. In this paper, the effect of a homothermal shock wave on heat propagation is evaluated by an approximate method.     

Study of Slip Flow in Unconventional Shale Rocks Using Lattice Boltzmann Method: Effects of Boundary Conditions and TMAC

Steady, laminar, fully developed flows of a Newtonian fluid driven by a constant pressure gradient in (1) a curvilinear constant cross section triangle bounded by two straight no-slip segments and a circular meniscus and (2) a wedge bounded by two rays and an adjacent film bulging near the corner are studied analytically by the theory of holomorphic functions and numerically by finite elements. The analytical solution of the first problem is obtained by reducing the Poisson equation for the longitudinal flow velocity to the Laplace equation, conformal mapping of the corresponding transformed physical domain onto an auxiliary half-plane and solving there the Signorini mixed boundary value problem (BVP). The numerical solution is obtained by meshing the circular sector and solving a system of linear equations ensuing from the Poisson equation. Comparisons are made with known solutions for flows in a rectangular conduit, circular annulus and Philip’s circular duct with a no-shear sector. Problem (2) is treated by the Saint-Venant semi-inverse method: the free surface (quasi-meniscus) is reconstructed by a one-parametric family, which specifies a holomorphic function of the first derivative of the physical coordinate with respect to an auxiliary variable. The latter maps the flow domain onto a quarter of a unit disc where a mixed BVP for a characteristic function is solved by the Zhukovsky–Chaplygin method. Velocity distributions in a cross section perpendicular to the flow direction are obtained. It is shown that the change of the type of the boundary condition from no slip to perfect slip (along the meniscus) causes a dramatic increase of the total flow rate (conductance). For example, the classical Saint-Venant formulae for a sector, with all three boundaries being no-slip segments, predict up to four times smaller rate as compared to a free surface meniscus. Mathematically equivalent problems of unconfined flows in aquifers recharged by a constant-intensity infiltration are also addressed.     

Radial jet in rotating outer flow

The rotating radial jet formed by fluid introduced radially outwards into a rotating environment is studied by the momentum integral method and by perturbation for weak swirl, assuming incompressible laminar flow. For non-swirling outer fluid, the results slightly extend previously published results. For swirling outer fluid, the jet is characterized by a finite radial penetration distance. Its development over that distance is divided into three regions: an initial adjustment, a central pseudo-similarity region, and a final decay.     

Modeling of partial closure of cracks in a perforated isotropic medium reinforced by a regular system of stringers

A mathematical model of partial closure of a crack in a perforated isotropic medium with a system of rectilinear foreign inclusions is constructed. Such a medium can be interpreted as an unbounded plate reinforced by a regular system of ribs whose cross sections are shaped as narrow rectangles. The medium is assumed to be attenuated by a periodic system of circular holes and straight-line cracks. Determination of unknown contact stresses and contact zone sizes is reduced to solving a singular integral equation, which is transformed by an algebraization procedure to a system of nonlinear algebraic equations solved by the method of consecutive approximations.     

Inducing gas flow and swirl in tubes using ionic wind from corona discharges

Air induction and rotation about the axis of a vertical tube is generated by an assembly of corona discharges between pinpoints and earthed electrodes, which induces a swirling ionic wind. The mechanism is elucidated and the geometrical configuration of the electric field lines of force is optimised by studying the deposition of charged particles on the earth electrodes, by numerical modelling of a simplified geometry and ultimately by maximising the measured tangential velocities. Upward convective flows of up to a litre per second are provided by an additional ionic wind pump at the base of the tube. With assemblies of up to three layers of six points each, tangential velocities of up to 3.3 m/s (≈900 rpm) are attained at the periphery, as recorded by small Pitot tubes. The concept, developed particularly for microgravity environments, appears suitable for adding a substantial centrifugal contribution to the operation of electrostatic precipitators and as a basis for further progress on electrical field-controlled burners.     

On the equations of motion of a fluid with suspended particles or gas bubbles

Summary Linear equations have been derived for the motion of a fluid with suspended impurities. The nature of the impurities is characterised by a continuous parameter which varies over a finite interval. It is proved that, under certain assumptions, the velocity fields can be described by a family of potential functions. An application is given by considering a sound wave passing through a water-airbubble mixture.     

A finite difference method for 3D flows about bodies of complex geometry in rectangular co-ordinate systems

A finite difference simulation method is developed for 3D flow about a body of complex geometry. The Navier–Stokes equation is approximated by a high-order-accurate difference scheme in the framework of rectangular co-ordinate systems. The configuration of the 3D body is represented by use of both surface porosity and volume porosity and the no-slip body boundary conditions are approximately implemented on the boundary cells. The validity of the method is demonstrated by a numerical test of flow past a sphere at a Reynolds number of 1000. The complicated structure of separated vortices is well revealed by this test computation. The versatility of the method is shown by application to an ocean-engineering problem of flow about a bay with an island.     

Bubbly flow undergoing a steep pressure gradient

The effects of a steep pressure gradient on bubbly flow were studied to determine the cause of noise emanating from components of a piping system. We used an orifice to generate a local pressure difference. The behavior of bubbles passing through the orifice was observed by using a video camera, and the noise was measured by a condenser microphone outside the pipe. It was found that the sound pressure level of noise generated by a bubbly flow was proportional to the pressure difference. An empirical formula for estimating noise level is proposed. The changes in size and number of bubbles passing through an orifice were found related to the breakup, which is affected by pressure difference rather than airflow rate. The breakup of a single bubble undergoing a steep pressure difference was observed to determine the mechanism of sound generation. It was found that a bubble was broken by impingement of an inward protrusion in the bubble. The growth rate of the protrusion depended on the pressure difference.