Laws of viscoplastic fluid flow in anisotropic porous and fractured media

In invariant tensor form, the laws of viscoplastic fluid flow are formulated for capillary and fractured media with a periodic microstructure that has orthotropic and transversely isotropic symmetry in the flow properties. An analysis of the laws of viscoplastic fluid flow in transversely isotropic and orthotropic porous and fractured media shows that in formulating the equations it is necessary to distinguish between the permeability tensor and the limiting gradient tensor, which may differ in the symmetry of the flow characteristics, and that the flow law is multivariant and admits one-, two-, and three-dimensional flows.     

Orthotropic bone remodeling: case of plane stresses

Cancellous bone is constituted by a porous solid matrix filled with fluid. Matrix microstructure gives bone most of its mechanical strength properties. In our macroscopic approach, bone is seen as a continuous medium with a local (at our scale) time-dependent linearly elastic orthotropic behavior. Remodeling consists, by matrix material apposition or resorption, in microstructure modifications in order to optimize its mechanical characteristics. The proposed model is built on a time iterative procedure where the compliance tensor evolves such that, depending on the applied stresses, principal strains tend to fall within an admissible domain. The suggested remodeling laws in this work modify the elasticity “constants” as well as the orthotropy directions. The first results presented here correspond to the plane stresses case.     

The motion of a closely-fitting sphere in a fluid-filled tube

Singular perturbation techniques are used to investigate the slow, asymmetric flow around a sphere positioned eccentrically within a long, circular, cylindrical tube filled with viscous fluid. The results apply to situations in which the sphere occupies virtually the entire cross section of the cylinder, so that the clearance between the particle and tube wall is everywhere small compared with both the sphere and tube radii. The technique is an improvement over conventional “lubrication-theory” analyses.Asymptotic expansions, valid for small dimensionless clearances, are obtained for the hydrodynamic force, torque and pressure drop for flow past a stationary sphere, as well as for the case of a sphere translating or rotating in an otherwise quiescent fluid. These expansions are employed to predict the macroscopic behavior of both a neutrally-buoyant sphere suspended in a Poiseuille flow, and a sedimenting sphere in a vertical tube.The results find application in capillary blood flow, pipeline transport of encapsulated materials, and falling-ball viscometers.     

Kinetic theory of colloidal suspensions: morphology, rheology, and migration

Smoluchowski kinetic equation governing the time evolution of the pair correlation function of rigid sphericalparticles suspended in a Newtonian fluid is extended to include particle migration. The extended kinetic equation takes into account three types of forces acting on the suspended particles: a direct force generated by an interparticle potential, hydrodynamic force mediated by the host fluid, and the Faxén-type forces bringing about the across-the-streamline particle migration. For suspensions subjected to externally imposed flows, the kinetic equation is solved numerically by the proper generalized decomposition method. The imposed flow investigated inthe numerical illustrations is the Poiseuille flow. Numerical solutions provide the morphology (the pair correlation function), the rheology (the stress tensor), and the particle migration.     

Flows of constant stretch history for polymeric materials with power-law distributions of relaxation times

It is herein shown that for separable integral constitutive equations with power-law distributions of relaxation times, the streamlines in creeping flow are independent of flow rate.For planar flows of constant stretch history, the stress tensor is the sum of three terms, one proportional to the rate-of-deformation tensor, one to the square of this tensor, and the other to the Jaumann derivative of the rate-of-deformation tensor. The three tensors are the same as occur in the Criminale-Ericksen-Filbey Equation, but the coefficients of these tensors depend not only on the second invariant of the strain rate, but also on another invariant which is a measure of flow strength. With the power-law distribution of relaxation times, each coefficient is equal to the second invariant of the strain rate tensor raised to a power, times a function that depends only on strength of the flow. Axisymmetric flows of constant stretch history are more complicated than the planar flows, because three instead of two nonzero normal components appear in the velocity gradient tensor. For homogeneous axisymmetric flows of constant stretch history, the stress tensor is given by the sum of the same three terms. The coefficients of these terms again depend on the flow strength parameter, but in general the dependences are not the same as in planar flow.     

The \vec\omega-\vec{D} fluid: general theory with special emphasis on stationary two dimensional flows

In this paper a theory is presented in which the extra stress tensor is allowed to depend not only on the rate of strain tensor but also on the relative vorticity of the fluid, i.e. on the vorticity relative to the rate of rotation of the principal straining directions. This theory has its origin in an expansion of in terms of kinematic tensors in the limit of stationarity in a material sense (constant stretch history flows). For two dimensional flows of an incompressible fluid three tensors suffice to completely specify . The three material functions which appear can depend only on two invariants, namely the second invariant of and on . Using the predictions of an Oldroyd 8 constant fluid in a homogeneous planar flow of constant stretch history, the three material functions are studied in detail. For the special case of a quasi-Newtonian fluid shear thinning and extension thickening can directly be accounted for in the “viscosity” function. Received: September 26, 1996     

Flow of a liquid with an anisotropic viscosity tensor

This paper presents a simple model of an anisotropic incompressible viscous fluid, whose equations of state involve one anisotropic physical constant tensor (in the sense of Oldroyd [1]). Attention is restricted to the case of a fluid that is everywhere transversely isotropic at some given instant, so that the model is essentially one of a liquid with initially just one privileged direction at each point. Transverse isotropy does not persist, however, in some flow situations.Predictions are made for simple shearing flows and for channel and pipe flows with different initial directions of orientation. In some cases, the volume rate of flow under constant pressure-gradient decreases steadily and tends to zero after a long time.     

A micro-polar theory for binary media with application to phase-transitional flow of fiber suspensions

A phase-transitional flow takes place during the filling stage by injection molding of short-fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The mechanical properties of the final product are highly dependent on the flow-induced distribution and orientation of particles. Therefore, modelling of the flow which allows to predict the formation of fiber microstructure is of particular importance for analysis and design of load bearing components. The aim of this paper is a discussion of existing models which characterize the behavior of fiber suspensions as well as the derivation of a model which treats the filling process as a phase-transitional flow of a binary medium consisting of fluid particles (liquid constituent) and immersed particles-fibers (solid-liquid constituent). The particle density and the mass density are considered as independent functions in order to account for the phenomenon of sticking of fluid particles to fibers. The liquid constituent is treated as a non-polar viscous fluid, but with a non-symmetric stress tensor. The state of the solid-liquid constituent is described by the antisymmetric stress tensor and the antisymmetric moment stress tensor. The forces of viscous friction between the constituents are taken into account. The equations of motion are formulated for open physical systems in order to consider the phenomenon of sticking. The chemical potential is introduced based on the reduced energy balance equation. The second law of thermodynamics is formulated by means of two inequalities under the assumption that the constituents may have different temperatures. In order to take into account the phase transitions of the liquid-solid type which take place during the flow process a model of compressible fluid and a constitutive equation for the pressure are proposed. Finally, the set of governing equations which should be solved numerically in order to simulate the filling process are summarized. The special cases of these equations are discussed by introduction of restricting assumptions.Received: 6 May 2002, Accepted: 16 December 2002, Published online: 29 July 2003PACS: 83.10.Ff, 83.70.Hg, 83.50.Cz Correspondence to: H. Altenbach     

A streaming birefringence study of the flow at the junction of the aorta and the renal arteries

Streaming birefringence with an organic dye (Milling Yellow) was used to investigate the flow near the junction of the renal arteries and the descending aorta in a model of human vessels. The dye concentration was adjusted to give fluid rheological properties, typical of blood. Steady and pulsatile flow were investigated at branch-to-trunk flow ratios of 0.050–0.350. The flow ratio range over which flow separation and simple secondary flows were identified during systole near the renal ostia are reported. Streaming birefringence has the advantage of allowing visualization of the entire flow field. Also, the fluid rather than suspended particles are observed. An important disadvantage, however, is that three-dimensional flows make interpretation difficult.     

Observations of “granular jump” in the pneumatic conveying system

This paper presents a preliminary study of a previously unreported phenomenon of the “gas driven granular jump”, observed in the gas–solids flow within the pneumatic conveying system. From the phenomenological point of view, it resembles the already known processes such as hydraulic jumps in shallow water or granular jumps in granular flows in chutes or avalanches (although it seems most appropriate to explain it by analogy to a propagating granular bore). Clearly, unlike in classical phenomena of this type, the flow itself is driven by the aerodynamic forces related to the gas flow and the behaviour of the front of the “jump” is modified significantly by their presence. A series of high-speed camera visualisations are presented, which focus on this unusual behaviour of the flow on the border-line between cluster and stratified flow regimes in a horizontal pipe. Some similarities are drawn between the observed phenomenon and the broader class of problems exhibiting transition between super- and sub-critical flows. The fluid dynamical aspects and possible mechanisms behind the new phenomenon are discussed and the results obtained are compared quantitatively with simple theoretical models.     

A finite element formulation for laminar flow of a fluid with microstructure

A finite element formulation for the steady laminar flow of an incompressible fluid with microstructure has been developed. The particular fluids considered are commonly known as micropolar fluids, in which case suspended particulate microstructures are modelled by an ‘extended’ continuum formulation. The particle microspin is a new kinematic variable which is independent of the classical vorticity vector and thereby allows relative rotation between particles and the surrounding fluid. This formulation also gives rise to couple stresses in addition to classical force or traction stresses. The finite element formulation utilizes a variational approach and imposes conservation of mass through a penalty function. A general boundary condition for microspin has been incorporated whereby microspin at a solid boundary is constrained to be proportional to the fluid vorticity. The proportionality constant in this case can vary from zero to unity. Sample solutions are presented for fully developed flow through a straight tube and compared with an analytical solution. Results are also generated for flow through a constricted tube and compared with a Newtonian fluid solution.     

Modelling of particle-wall collisions in confined gas-particle flows

This paper demonstrates that numerical simulations of confined particulate two-phase flows require a detailed modelling of particle—wall collisions which includes the wall surface structure and the particle shape. These effects are taken into account by “irregular bouncing” models which are based on the statistical treatment of the collision process. In this study, results obtained using various “irregular bouncing” models based on the impulse equations for a particle—wall collision are considered and compared with experimental observations. The wall roughness is simulated by assuming that the particle collides with a virtual wall which has a randomly distributed inclination with respect to the plane, smooth wall. A Gaussian distribution for this random inclination showed the best agreement with experimental results. Numerical predictions of a turbulent two—phase flow in a vertical channel, where the particle phase is treated using a Lagrangian approach, showed that the different models applied for a particle-wall collision have a strong effect on the particle velocity fluctuations and the mass flux profiles in the region of fully developed flow. The numerical simulations using the irregular bouncing models yielded considerably higher values for the particle velocity fluctuations, which also agreed better with the experimental values. This effect was most pronounced for large particles, where the distance they need to respond to the fluid flow is larger than the characteristic dimension of the confinement. On the other hand, the motion of small particles is less affected by the choice of the wall-collision model. These effects of the wall roughness on the velocity fluctuations of the dispersed phase have not been considered in previous studies using irregular bouncing models.     

Laws of flow with a limiting gradient in anisotropic porous media

The equations of viscoplastic fluid flow through a porous medium are written for all types of anisotropy. It is shown that in anisotropic media the flows with a limiting gradient are characterized by two material tensors: the tensor of permeability (flow resistance) coefficients and the tensor of limiting gradients. A complex of laboratory measurements for determining the tensors of permeability coefficients and limiting gradients is considered for all types of anisotropic media. It is shown that the tensors of permeability coefficients and limiting gradients are coaxial. Conditions of flow onset and fluid flow laws are formulated for media with monoclinic and triclinic symmetries of flow characteristics.     

Measured Reynolds stress distributions and energy budgets of a fully pulsed round air jet

 Most particle-tracking velocimetry (PTV) algorithms are not suitable for calculating the velocity vectors of a fluid flow subjected to strong deformation, because these algorithms deal only with flows due to translation. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop a novel algorithm applicable to flows subjected to strong deformations such as rotation, shear, expansion and compression. This paper proposes a novel particle tracking algorithm using the velocity gradient tensor (VGT) which can deal with strong deformations and demonstrates that this algorithm is applicable to some basic fluid motions (rigidly rotating flow, Couette flow, and expansion flow). Furthermore, the performance of this algorithm is compared with the binary image cross-correlation method (BICC), the four-consecutive-time-step particle tracking method (4-PTV), and the spring model particle tracking algorithm (SPG) using simulations and experimental data. As a result, it is shown that this novel algorithm is useful and applicable for the highly accurate measurement and analysis of fluid flows subjected to strong deformations. Received: 9 February 1999/Accepted: 22 November 1999     

Theory of capillary viscometers taking into account surface tension effects

The constants of the working equation of capillary viscometers of gravity flow type are no true instrument constants owing to its dependence on the surface tension of the fluid. We have calculated numerically this dependence in the case of Ostwald-Rankine and Ubbelohde type viscometers. In the case of Ubbelohde viscometer with suspended level it is possible to make the surface tension errors lower than 0.01% by suitable choice of the radius of curvature of the suspended level. This radius is calculated for many practical cases.     

The interplay between boundary conditions and flow geometries in shear banding: Hysteresis, band configurations, and surface transitions

We study shear banding flows in models of wormlike micelles or polymer solutions, and explore the effects of different boundary conditions for the viscoelastic stress. These are needed because the equations of motion are inherently non-local and include “diffusive” or square-gradient terms. Using the diffusive Johnson–Segalman model and a variant of the Rolie-Poly model for entangled micelles or polymer solutions, we study the interplay between different boundary conditions and the intrinsic stress gradient imposed by the flow geometry. We consider prescribed gradient (Neumann) or value (Dirichlet) of the viscoelastic stress tensor at the boundary, as well as mixed boundary conditions in which an anchoring strength competes with the gradient contribution to the stress dynamics. We find that hysteresis during shear rate sweeps is suppressed if the boundary conditions favor the state that is induced by the sweep. For example, if the boundaries favor the high shear rate phase then hysteresis is suppressed at the low shear rate edges of the stress plateau. If the boundaries favor the low shear rate state, then the high shear rate band can lie in the center of the flow cell, leading to a three-band configuration. Sufficiently strong stress gradients due to curved flow geometries, such as that of cylindrical Couette flow, can convert this to a two-band state by forcing the high shear rate phase against the wall of higher stress, and can suppress the hysteresis loop observed during a shear rate sweep.     

Non-swirling axisymmetric flow of the ω-D fluid

In this paper a constitutive equation for the extra stress tensor τ is considered, which can be used for steady axisymmetric flows when u _ϕ=0 (non-swirling). It is explicit with coefficients which, in case of incompressibility, depend only upon three invariants. As such it should prove useful in numerical calculations, especially so if used in its simplest form, namely the quasi-Newtonian fluid. Here, a purely viscous code can be used. The constitutive equation is self-consistent and receives additional justification from the fact that any constitutive equation is bound to result in the form proposed if the flow is a constant stretch history flow. Received: 30 March 1998 Accepted: 6 August 1998     

Gravity-driven dry granular slow flows down an inclined moving plane: a comparative study between two concepts of the evolution of porosity

Two concepts in modeling the effects of the evolution of porosity in dry granular flows are investigated to illuminate their performance and limitations. To this end, the thermodynamic analysis, based on the Müller-Liu entropy principle, and the quasi-linear theory, are employed to deduce the ultimate constitutive models and the restrictions on their thermodynamic consistencies. The models are employed to study an isothermal dry granular slow flow down an inclined moving plane, of which the results are compared with the experimental outcomes. Results show that, while the two models deliver appropriate equilibrium expressions of the Cauchy stress tensor for compressible grains, the model in which the evolution of porosity is treated kinematically yields a spherical stress tensor for incompressible grains. Only the model with a dynamic evolution of porosity can give rise to a non-spherical stress tensor at equilibrium. Moreover, whilst the former model can better capture the characteristics of flows with slow to moderate speeds, the latter model is more able to describe the features of very rapid flows like avalanches. The present study illustrates the essential difference between the two concepts in modeling the effects of the evolution of porosity, and can be extended for further studies on other microstructural effects in granular flows.     

Suspended load and bed-load transport of particle-laden gravity currents: the role of particle–bed interaction

The development of particle-enriched regions (bed-load) at the base of particle-laden gravity currents has been widely observed, yet the controls and relative partitioning of material into the bed-load is poorly understood. We examine particle-laden gravity currents whose initial mixture (particle and fluid) density is greater than the ambient fluid, but whose interstitial fluid density is less than the ambient fluid (such as occurs in pyroclastic flows produced during volcanic eruptions or when sediment-enriched river discharge enters the ocean, generating hyperpycnal turbidity currents). A multifluid numerical approach is employed to assess suspended load and bed-load transport in particle-laden gravity currents under varying boundary conditions. Particle-laden flows that traverse denser fluid (such as pyroclastic flows crossing water) have leaky boundaries that provide the conceptual framework to study suspended load in isolation from bed-load transport. We develop leaky and saltation boundary conditions to study the influence of flow substrate on the development of bed-load. Flows with saltating boundaries develop particle–enriched basal layers (bed-load) where momentum transfer is primarily a result of particle–particle collisions. The grain size distribution is more homogeneous in the bed-load and the saltation boundaries increase the run-out distance and residence time of particles in the flow by as much as 25% over leaky boundary conditions. Transport over a leaky substrate removes particles that reach the bottom boundary and only the suspended load remains. Particle transport to the boundary is proportional to the settling velocity of particles, and flow dilution results in shear and buoyancy instabilities at the upper interface of these flows. These instabilities entrain ambient fluid, and the continued dilution ultimately results in these currents becoming less dense than the ambient fluid. A unifying concept is energy dissipation due to particle–boundary interaction: leaky boundaries dissipate energy more efficiently at the boundary than their saltating counterparts and have smaller run-out distance.

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