Some C0-continuous mixed formulations for general dipolar linear gradient elasticity boundary value problems and the associated energy theorems

The goal of this work is a systematic presentation of some classes of mixed weak formulations, for general multi-dimensional dipolar gradient elasticity (fourth order) boundary value problems. The displacement field main variable is accompanied by the double stress tensor and the Cauchy stress tensor (case 1 or μ ? τ ? u formulation), the double stress tensor alone (case 2 or μ ? u formulation), the double stress, the Cauchy stress, the displacement second gradient and the standard strain field (case 3 or μ ? τ ? κ ? ε ? u formulation) and the displacement first gradient, along with the equilibrium stress (case 4 or u ? θ ? γ formulation). In all formulations, the respective essential conditions are built in the structure of the solution spaces. For cases 1, 2 and 4, one-dimensional analogues are presented for the purpose of numerical comparison. Moreover, the standard Galerkin formulation is depicted. It is noted that the standard Galerkin weak form demands C¹-continuous conforming basis functions. On the other hand, up to first order derivatives appear in the bilinear forms of the current mixed formulations. Hence, standard C⁰-continuous conforming basis functions may be employed in the finite element approximations. The main purpose of this work is to provide a reference base for future numerical applications of this type of mixed methods. In all cases, the associated quadratic energy functionals are formed for the purpose of completeness.     

Neutrality in the case of N-phase elliptical inclusions with internal uniform hydrostatic stresses

A novel method is proposed to design neutral N-phase (N ? 3) elliptical inclusions with internal uniform hydrostatic stresses. We focus on the study of the internal and external stress states of an N-phase elliptical inclusion which is bonded to an infinite matrix through (N ? 2) interphase layers. The interfaces of the N-phase elliptical inclusion are (N ? 1) confocal ellipses. The design of the resulting overall composite material consists of four stages: (i) an inner perfectly bonded interphase/inclusion interface which is necessary to make the internal uniform stress state hydrostatic; (ii) outer imperfect interphase layers properly designed to make the coated inclusion harmonic (i.e., the uniform mean stress of the original field within the matrix is unperturbed); (iii) the aspect ratio of the elliptic inclusion uniquely chosen for a given material and thickness parameters to make the resulting coated inclusion neutral (i.e., the prescribed uniform stress field in the matrix remains undisturbed); and finally (iv) the derivation of a simple condition relating the remote uniform stresses and the thickness parameters of the (N ? 2) interphase layers for given material parameters which lead to internal uniform hydrostatic stresses. We note that another interesting feature of the present results is that the mean stress is found to be constant within each interphase layer, and the hoop stress in the innermost interphase layer is uniform along the entire interphase/inclusion interface.     

Turbulent channel flow of dilute polymeric solutions: Drag reduction scaling and an eddy viscosity model

Direct numerical simulation of viscoelastic turbulent channel flows up to the maximum drag reduction (MDR) limit has been performed. The simulation results in turn have been used to develop relationships between the flow and fluid rheological parameters, i.e. maximum chain extensibility, Reynolds number, Re_τ, and Weissenberg number, We_τ and percent drag reduction (%DR) as well as the slope increment of the mean velocity profile. Moreover, based on the trends observed in the mean velocity profile and the overall momentum balance three different regimes of drag reduction (DR), namely, low drag reduction (LDR; 0 ≤ %DR ≤ 20), high drag reduction (HDR; 20 ≤ %DR ≤ 52) and MDR (52 ≤ %DR ≤ 74) have been identified and mathematical expressions for the eddy viscosity in these regimes are presented. It is found that both in LDR and HDR regimes the eddy viscosity varies with the distance from the channel wall. However, in the MDR regime the ratio of the eddy viscosity to the Newtonian one tends to a very small value around 0.1 within the channel. Based on these expressions a procedure that relies on the DNS predictions of the budgets of momentum and viscoelastic shear stress is developed for evaluating the mean velocity profile.     

On one skew-symmetric problem of electroelasticity for inhomogeneous cylinder of finite length

In the present paper, static bending problem of the electroelasticity for an inhomogeneous cylinder of finite length with sliding fixed end-supports is investigated. The given boundary value problem is reduced to a system of 12 k (k = 1, 2, …) integro-differential equations. Expressions for the components characterizing the state of stress for the inhomogeneous cylinder are presented. Based on the developed analytical algorithm, extensive numerical investigations associated with the stress analysis of an inhomogeneous piezoceramic cylinder have been conducted. The results of these investigations are illustrated graphically, demonstrating the stress distributions in piezoceramic circular and elliptical cylinders with inclusions of various geometries.     

Periodic group crack problems in an infinite plate

This paper investigates periodic group crack problems in an infinite plate. The periodic group crack is composed of infinite groups with numbering from j = −∞, …, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, …, to j = ∞, and the groups are placed periodically. The same loading condition and the same geometry are assumed for cracks in all groups. A singular integral equation is used to solve the problems. The singular integral equation is formulated on cracks of the 0th group (or the central group) with the collection of influences from the infinite groups. The influences of many neighboring groups to the central group are evaluated exactly. Meantime, the influences of many remote groups to the central group can be summed up into one term approximately. The stress intensity factors at crack tips can be evaluated from the solution of the singular integral equation. It is found from some sample problems that the obtained results are very accurate. Finally, several numerical examples are presented and interaction among the group cracks is addressed.     

Simple constitutive modelling of nonlinear viscoelasticity under general extension

We study the behaviour of a single integral constitutive equation, capable of providing analytic expressions for the viscoelastic stress in extensional flows of a variety of deformation histories and geometries, ranging from uniaxial to equibiaxial. It is based on the use of a stress damping function, with a power-law dependence on the elongation, λ: h(λ) = 1/λⁿ. The parameter n (0 ≤ n ≤ 2) signifies the nonlinear viscoelastic character of the material and, therefore, is an inverse measure of network connectivity strength of the underlying microstructure. This renders the constitutive approach applicable to incompressible polymers of a variable degree of branching, strain hardening and stress thinning behavior. Methods of connecting n with the macromolecular architecture and the alignment strength of the flow are also explored.     

Static wall layers in plane channel displacement flows

We study steady and pulsating displacement flows of a Bingham fluid by a Newtonian fluid, along a plane channel. For sufficiently large yield stress a static residual wall layer can result during the displacement. The flow is parameterised by the Reynolds number (Re), the Bingham number (B) and the viscosity ratio (M). Perhaps intuitively, thicker layers are found with larger M and at lower Re. The residual layer is formed on the advective timescale of the displacement but drains on a slower timescale governed by M. For larger M truly stationary layers are only found for large t when the layer has thinned sufficiently to become static. Increased Re results in increased energy production locally around the finger. For large enough Re the energy production can play a significant role in yielding the fluid. As the energy production rate increases it also becomes focused around the corner or shoulder region of the front, and spreads axially along the initial part of the residual layer. This causes fluid to yield increasingly far behind the front and allows for the layer to thin. As B increases the static layer tends to decrease (see also [1], [2]). At small Re the static layer thickness appears to be independent of M. At large Re the layer thickness is dependent on M and decreases asymptotically to a constant value as B → ∞.For pulsating displacement flow rates, Q(t) = 2(1 + Asin  ωt) : A ∈ [0, 1) we study two ranges: ωRe ? 2π and ωRe ? 2π. For the viscous regime (ωRe ? 2π) a pseudo-steady 1D model predicts that the residual layer should remain static for 3(1 + Asin  ωt) < MB. In practice we find that partial mobilisation of the residual layer occurs even when this inequality is satisfied, but not if MB becomes significantly larger than 3(1 + A). For ωRe ? 2π we mobilise the layer for significantly larger values of MB and at smaller A, than in the viscous regime. This effect is traced to the occurrence of out-of-phase velocity fluctuations in the displacing fluid within a wall layer close to the interface.     

Failure in notched tension bars due to high-temperature creep: Interaction between nucleation controlled cavity growth and continuum cavity growth

For axi-symmetrically notched tension bars [Dyson, B.F., Loveday, M.S., 1981, Creep Fracture in Nimonic 80A under Tri-axial Tensile Stressing, In: Ponter A.R.S., Hayhurst, D.R. (Eds.), Creep in Structures, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 406–421] show two types of damage propagation are shown: for low stress, failure propagates from the outside notch surface to the centre-line; and for high stress, failure propagates from the centre-line to the outside notch surface. The objectives of the paper are to: identify the physics of the processes controlling global failure modes; and, describe the global behaviour using physics-based constitutive equations.Two sets of constitutive equations are used to model the softening which takes place in tertiary creep of Nimonic 80A at 750 °C. Softening by multiplication of mobile dislocations is firstly combined, for low stress, with softening due to nucleation controlled creep constrained cavity growth; and secondly combined, for high stress, with softening due to continuum void growth. The Continuum Damage Mechanics, CDM, Finite Element Solver DAMAGE XX has been used to study notch creep fracture. Low stress notch behaviour is accurately predicted provided that the constitutive equations take account of the effect of stress level on creep ductility. High stress notch behaviour is accurately predicted from a normalized inverse cavity spacing d/2? = 6, and an initial normalized cavity radius r_hi/? = 3.16 × 10^?3, where 2? is the cavity spacing, and d is the grain size; however, the constants in the strain rate equation required recalibration against high stress notch data. A void nucleation mechanism is postulated for high stress behaviour which involves decohesion where slip bands intersect second phase grain boundary particles. Both equation sets accurately predict experimentally observed global failure modes.     

Revisiting the perforation of ductile plates by sharp-nosed rigid projectiles

The process of ductile plate perforation by sharp-nosed rigid projectiles is further examined in this work through 2D numerical simulations. We highlight various features concerning the effective resisting stress (σ_r) which a finite thickness plate, with a flow stress of Y_t, exerts on the projectile during perforation. In particular, we show that the normalized resisting stress (σ_r/Y_t) can be represented as a unique function of the normalized thickness of the plate (H/D, where H is plate thickness and D is projectile diameter), for a large range of normalized thicknesses. Our simulations for very thin target plates show that the penetration process is achieved through the well-known dishing mechanism, where the target material is pushed forward by the projectile’s nose. An important observation, which emerges from our simulations, is that the transition between the dishing and the hole enlargement mechanisms takes place at a normalized thickness of about H/D = 1/3. We also find that the normalized resistive stress for intermediate plate thicknesses, 1/3 < H/D < 1.0, is relatively constant at a value of σ_r/Y_t = 2.0. This range of thicknesses conforms to a state of quasi plane stress in the plates. For thicker plates (H/D > 1) the σ_r/Y_t ratio increases monotonically to values which represent the resistance to penetration of semi-infinite targets, where the stress state is characterized by plane strain conditions. Using a simple model, which is based on energy conservation, we can predict the values of the ballistic limit velocities for many projectile/target combinations, provided the perforation is done through the ductile hole enlargement mechanism. Good agreement is demonstrated between predictions from our model and experimental data from different sources, strongly enhancing the confidence in both the validity and usefulness of our model.     

Nonaxisymmetric interaction of a spherical radiator in a fluid-filled permeable borehole

The Biot theory of poroelasticity along with the proper cylindrical/spherical wave-field transformations are used to investigate general (nonaxisymmetric) harmonic radiation from a spherical surface vibrating at the center of a fluid-filled circular cylindrical cavity embedded within a fluid-saturated porous elastic formation. This configuration, which is a realistic idealization of an acoustic logging tool suspended in a fluid-filled borehole, is of practical importance with a multitude of possible applications in seismic engineering and geophysics. The analytical results are illustrated with numerical examples in which the spherical source suspended at the center of a water-filled borehole embedded within water-saturated soils of distinct frame properties (i.e., soft or stiff soils), is excited in vibrational modes of various orders. The basic acoustic and elastic field quantities such as the resistive/reactive components of the modal acoustic radiation impedance load as well as the radial displacement and stress components induced within the surrounding formation for a pulsating (n = 0), an oscillating (n = 1), and a quadrupole-like (n = 2) spherical source are evaluated and discussed for representative values of the parameters characterizing the system. Special attention is paid to the effects of source excitation frequency, size, surface velocity profile, and internal impedance as well as soil type on the modal impedance values and the displacement/stress amplitudes. Limiting cases are considered and fair agreements with well-known solutions are obtained.     

Flow structures around an equilateral triangle arrangement of three spheres

This paper represents the results of an experimental study on the flow structure around a single sphere and three spheres in an equilateral-triangular arrangement. Flow field measurements were performed using a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique and dye visualization in an open water channel for a Reynolds number of Re = 5 × 10³ based on the sphere diameter. The distributions and flow features at the critical locations of the contours of the velocity fluctuations, the patterns of sectional streamlines, the vorticity contours, the turbulent kinetic energy, the Reynolds stress correlations and shedding frequency are discussed. The gap ratios (G/D) of the three spheres were varied in the range of 1.0 ⩽ G/D ⩽ 2.5 where G was the distance between the sphere centers, and D was the sphere diameter which was taken as 30 mm. Due to the interference of the shedding shear layers and the wakes, more complex features of the flow patterns can be found in the wake region of the two downstream spheres behind the leading sphere. For G/D = 1.25, a jet-like flow around the leading sphere through the gap between the two downstream spheres occurred, which significantly enhanced the wake region. It was observed that a continuous flow development involving shearing phenomena and the interactions of shedding vortices caused a high rate of fluctuations over the whole flow field although most of the time-averaged flow patterns were almost symmetric about the two downstream spheres.     

Comment on “Stress boundary conditions for plate bending” by F.Y.M. Wan [Int. J. Solids Struct. 40 (2003) 4107–4123]

By using the reciprocal theorem of elasticity, the author obtained the appropriate stress boundary conditions for the Levy solution for plate bending accurate to all order for plates of general edge geometry and loading. Two special cases of k = 0 (axisymmetric deformation of a circular plate) and k ⩾ 2 (unsymmetric deformation of a circular plate) were discussed in detail in the paper.     

The effect of incidence angle on the mean wake of surface-mounted finite-height square prisms

The mean wake of a surface-mounted finite-height square prism was studied experimentally in a low-speed wind tunnel to explore the combined effects of incidence angle (α) and aspect ratio (AR). Measurements of the mean wake velocity field were made with a seven-hole pressure probe for finite square prisms of AR = 9, 7, 5 and 3, at a Reynolds number of Re = 3.7 × 10⁴, for incidence angles from α = 0° to 45°. The relative thickness of the boundary layer on the ground plane, compared to the prism width, was δ/D = 1.5. As the incidence angle increases from α = 0° to 15°, the mean recirculation zone shortens and the mean wake shifts in the direction opposite to that of the mean lift force. The downwash is also deflected to this side of the wake and the mean streamwise vortex structures in the upper part of the wake become strongly asymmetric. The shortest mean recirculation zone, and the greatest asymmetry in the mean wake, is found at the critical incidence angle of α_critical ≈ 15°. As the incidence angle increases from α = 15° to 45°, the mean recirculation zone lengthens and the mean streamwise vortex structures regain their symmetry. These vortices also elongate in the wall-normal direction and become contiguous with the horseshoe vortex trailing arms. The mean wake of the prism of AR = 3 has some differences, such as an absence of induced streamwise vorticity near the ground plane, which support its classification as lying below the critical aspect ratio for the present flow conditions.     

Some exact solutions for rotating flows of a generalized Burgers’ fluid in cylindrical domains

The velocity field and the adequate shear stress corresponding to the flow of a generalized Burgers’ fluid model, between two infinite co-axial cylinders, are determined by means of Laplace and finite Hankel transforms. The motion is due to the inner cylinder that applies a time dependent torsional shear to the fluid. The solutions that have been obtained, presented in series form in terms of usual Bessel functions J₁( ? ), J₂( ? ), Y₁( ? ) and Y₂( ? ), satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions. Moreover, the corresponding solutions for Burgers’, Oldroyd-B, Maxwell, second grade, Newtonian fluids and large-time transient solutions for generalized Burgers’ fluid are also obtained as special cases of the present general solutions. The effect of various parameters on large-time and transient solutions of generalized Burgers’ fluid is also discussed. Furthermore, for small values of the material parameters, λ₂ and λ₄ or λ₁, λ₂, λ₃ and λ₄, the general solutions corresponding to generalized Burgers’ fluids are going to those for Oldroyd-B and Newtonian fluids, respectively. Finally, the influence of the pertinent parameters on the fluid motion, as well as a comparison between models, is shown by graphical illustrations.     

CFD based mini- vs. micro-system delineation in elongated bubble flow regime

Delineation of mini- and micro-scale channels with respect to two-phase flow has been the subject of many research papers. There is no consensus on when the small channel can be characterized as a mini-channel or micro-channel. The idea proposed by this paper is to use the normalized bubble nose radius, liquid film thickness top over bottom ratio, and bubble shape contour, which are found under normal gravity conditions in slug flow through a horizontal adiabatic channel, as the delineation criteria. The input parameters are bubble nose radius and bubble nose velocity as the characteristic length scale and characteristic velocity scale respectively. 3D numerical simulation with ANSYS FLUENT was used to obtain the necessary data. Following CFD practice, a mesh independence study and a numerical model validation against published experimental data were both conducted. Analysis of the numerical simulation results showed that channels with D ⩽ 100 μm can be characterized as a micro-system, while channels with D ⩾ 400 μm belong to mini-systems. The region 200 μm ⩽ D ⩽ 300 μm represents a transition from the micro-scale to mini-scale.     

Computational and experimental characterization of a liquid jet plunging into a quiescent pool at shallow inclination

A circular water jet (Re = 1.6 × 10⁵; We = 8.8 × 10³) plunging at shallow angles (θ ≈ 12.5°) into a quiescent pool is investigated computationally and experimentally. A surprising finding from the work is that cavities, of the order of jet diameter, are formed periodically in the impact location, even though the impinging flow is smooth and completely devoid of such a periodicity. Computational prediction of these frequencies was compared with experimental findings, yielding excellent agreement. The region in the vicinity of the impact is characterized by strong churning due to splashing and formation of air cavities. Measured velocity profiles indicate a concentration of momentum beneath the free surface slightly beyond the impact location (X/D_j ≈ 14), with a subsequent shift towards the free surface further downstream of this point (X/D_j ≈ 30). This shift is due primarily to the action of buoyancy on the cavity/bubble population. Comparisons of the mean velocity profile between simulations and experiments are performed, yielding good agreement, with the exception of the relatively small churning flow region. Further downstream (X/D_j ≳ 40), the flow develops mostly due to diffusion and the location of peak velocity coincides with the free surface. In this region, the free surface acts as an adiabatic boundary and restricts momentum diffusion, causing the peak velocity to occur at the free surface.     

Unsteady gravity-driven slender rivulets of a power-law fluid

Unsteady gravity-driven flow of a thin slender rivulet of a non-Newtonian power-law fluid on a plane inclined at an angle α to the horizontal is considered. Unsteady similarity solutions are obtained for both converging sessile rivulets (when 0 < α < π/2) in the case x < 0 with t < 0, and diverging pendent rivulets (when π/2 < α < π) in the case x > 0 with t > 0, where x denotes a coordinate measured down the plane and t denotes time. Numerical and asymptotic methods are used to show that for each value of the power-law index N there are two physically realisable solutions, with cross-sectional profiles that are ‘single-humped’ and ‘double-humped’, respectively. Each solution predicts that at any time t the rivulet widens or narrows according to |x | ^{(2N+1)/2(N+1)} and thickens or thins according to |x | ^N/(N+1) as it flows down the plane; moreover, at any station x, it widens or narrows according to |t | ^?N/2(N+1) and thickens or thins according to |t | ^?N/(N+1). The length of a truncated rivulet of fixed volume is found to behave according to |t | ^N/(2N+1).     

Multiple scattering of flexural waves in a semi-infinite thin plate with a cutout

The multiple scattering of flexural waves and dynamic stress concentration in a semi-infinite thin plate with a cutout are investigated, and the expressions of this problem are obtained. The analytical solutions of wave fields are expressed by employing the wave function expansion method and the expanded mode coefficients are solved by satisfying the boundary condition of the cutout. The image method is used to satisfy the traction free boundary condition of the plate. As an example, the numerical results of dynamic stress concentration factors are graphically presented and discussed. Numerical results show that the analytical results of the scattered waves and dynamic stress in semi-infinite plates are significantly different from those in infinite plates when the ratio of distance b/a is relatively little. In the region of low frequency and long wavelength, the maximum dynamic stress concentration factors occur on the illuminated side of the scattering body with θ = π, but not at the edge of the cutout with θ = π/2. As the incidence frequency increases (the wavelength becomes short), the dynamic stress on the illuminated side of the cutout decreases, however, the dynamic stress on the shadow side increases.     

Spatiotemporal variations of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations between 31 Chinese cities and their relationships with SO2, NO2, CO and O3

The variations of mass concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃ in 31 Chinese provincial capital cities were analyzed based on data from 286 monitoring sites obtained between March 22, 2013 and March 31, 2014. By comparing the pollutant concentrations over this length of time, the characteristics of the monthly variations of mass concentrations of air pollutants were determined. We used the Pearson correlation coefficient to establish the relationship between PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and the gas pollutants. The results revealed significant differences in the concentration levels of air pollutants and in the variations between the different cities. The Pearson correlation coefficients between PMs and NO₂ and SO₂ were either high or moderate (PM_2.5 with NO₂: r = 0.256–0.688, mean r = 0.498; PM₁₀ with NO₂: r = 0.169–0.713, mean r = 0.493; PM_2.5 with SO₂: r = 0.232–0.693, mean r = 0.449; PM₁₀ with SO₂: r = 0.131–0.669, mean r = 0.403). The correlation between PMs and CO was diverse (PM_2.5: r = 0.156–0.721, mean r = 0.437; PM₁₀: r = 0.06–0.67, mean r = 0.380). The correlation between PMs and O₃ was either weak or uncorrelated (PM_2.5: r = −0.35 to 0.089, mean r = −0.164; PM₁₀: r = −0.279 to 0.078, mean r = −0.127), except in Haikou (PM_2.5: r = 0.500; PM₁₀: r = 0.509).