Cluster statistics in a bidimensional suspension: Comparison with percolation

We study the cluster statistics and the viscosity of a two-dimensional suspension of passive macroscopic spheres undergoing shear. The second moment of the finite cluster statistics exhibits a maximum for a 2-D concentrationΦ _S near 0.67 without measurable anomaly in the viscosity. The results of the cluster statistics are compared to those obtained in percolation.     

On the finite deformation of a sector plate

Summary In this paper an investigation is given into the behaviour of the stress singularity which occurs in the linear theory of elasticity at the deformation of a sector plate, if finite deformations are considered. It is assumed that for very small deformations Hooke's law is valid, and only in the neighbourhood of the singularity Hooke's law has to be extended. This extension is not unique. It is shown that for two different strain-energy functions, which have the same asymptotic expansion for infinitesimal deformations, the behaviour of the solutions is quite different. One of the strain-energy functions leads to a bounded solution, while the solution, obtained from the other one becomes singular for the case of contraction. As it cannot be expected that it will be possible to decide on an experimental basis about the right extension, an assertion about the difference in smoothness of solutions to problems in linear and non-linear theory cannot be given. An open question is raised: whether or not the requirement of regularity for this kind of problems in non-linear theory can be posed as a restriction on the admissible energy functions.     

The seismic pulse in a semi-infinite medium

Summary In a foregoing paper the present author developed methods for studying the transient field from a vertical electric antenna placed in the vicinity of the plane boundary of two semi-infinite dielectric media.As the theory involved is applicable to the comparable elastodynamic pulse problem the present paper deals with the field from a buried transient longitudinal source in an elastic half space.The method appears to be relatively simple and is also applicable to the more general problem in which two elastic semi-infinite solids are separated by a plane boundary.     

Stress relaxation,creep, and internal stresses in high density polyethylene filled with calcium carbonate

The effect of filling high density polyethylene (HDPE) with calcium carbonate (up to 50% by weight) on the stress relaxation and the creep in uniaxial extension at room temperature was investigated. The addition of CaCO₃ was found to have a strong influence on the flow behaviour of HDPE. In particular, it was observed that the internal stress level, calculated from relaxation data, increased markedly with the filler content. The reduction in creep rate of the filled samples suggested that the CaCO₃-particles induce a change in the structure of the HDPE-interphase close to the filler surface. This was supported by dynamic mechanical measurements performed at low temperatures on swollen HDPE-CaCO₃ samples.     

Single-phase natural circulation in a tilted square loop

Natural circulation of water in a tilted square loop of circular cross-section is studied in this paper. Heating is by an electrical resistance and cooling through a heat exchanger. Heating and cooling are at opposite sides of the square loop. The natural convection flow is determined experimentally as a function of the heating flux and the tilt angle. Multiplicity of steady-state velocities is experimentally confirmed.

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Einphasiger Naturumlauf in einem geneigten quadratischen Loop

Zusammenfassung In dem Aufsatz wird der Naturumlauf von Wasser in einem geneigten quadratischen Loop mit Rohren kreisförmigen Querschnittes behandelt. Die Beheizung erfolgt über einen elektrischen Widerstand und die Kühlung über einen Wärmetauscher. Heizung und Kühlung sind auf den gegenüberliegenden Seiten des quadratischen Loops angeordnet. Der Naturumlauf wird experimentell als Funktion des Wärmestromes und des Neigungswinkels bestimmt. Es wird die Vielfältigkeit von stationären Geschwindigkeiten experimentell bestätigt.

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Nomenclature Q input heat flow - V fluid velocity - V _m maximum fluid velocity - tilt angle - _c critical tilt angle - T temperature difference     

Modulated Taylor-Couette Flow: Onset of Spiral Modes

The linear stability of the flow between concentric cylinders, with the inner cylinder rotating at a constant angular velocity and the outer cylinder with an angular velocity varying harmonically about a zero mean, is addressed. The bifurcations of the base state are analyzed using Floquet theory, paying particular attention to non-axisymmetric bifurcations which are dominant in significant regions of parameter space. In these regions the spiral modes of the unforced system become parametrically excited and dominant. This is typical behavior of parametrically forced extended systems, where some modes are stabilized, but others are simultaneously excited. The flow structure of the bifurcated states are examined in detail, paying particular attention to the dynamic implications of their symmetries, and in particular how and when subsequent period doublings are inhibited. Received 5 November 2001 and accepted 29 March 2002 Published online: 2 October 2002 RID="*" ID="*" This work was supported by NSF Grants INT-9732637 and CTS-9908599 (U.S.A.) and MCYT Grants PB97-0685 and BFM2001-2350 (Spain). Communicated by H.J.S. Fernando     

Mixing in horizontally heterogeneous flows

An experimental study of mixing across density interfaces produced by laterally heterogenous turbulence is presented in this paper. The turbulence is generated by a flow or air bubles rising through a density interface produced by brine and fresh water. The mixing efficiency, , of the process is measured comparing the increase in potential energy with the available kinetic energy. We find that there is a decrease in the global mixing efficiency of the process with the length of the tank, the shape of (Ri) depends also on the air flow producing the turbulence, showing a geometrical limit to the ammount of kinetic energy which may be used for mixing.     

Abnormal long wave dispersion phenomena in a slightly compressible elastic plate with non-classical boundary conditions

A two parameter asymptotic analysis is employed to investigate some unusual long wave dispersion phenomena in respect of symmetric motion in a nearly incompressible elastic plate. The plate is not subject to the usual classical traction free boundary conditions, but rather has its faces fixed, precluding any displacement on the boundary. The abnormal long wave behaviour results in the derivation of non-local approximations for symmetric motion, giving frequency as a function of wave number. Motivated by these approximations, the asymptotic forms of displacement components established and long wave asymptotic integration is carried out.     

Real-Space Renormalization Estimates for Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media

We present a spatial renormalization group algorithm to handle immiscibletwo-phase flow in heterogeneous porous media. We call this algorithmFRACTAM-R, where FRACTAM is an acronym for Fast Renormalization Algorithmfor Correlated Transport in Anisotropic Media, and the R stands for relativepermeability. Originally, FRACTAM was an approximate iterative process thatreplaces the L × L lattice of grid blocks, representing the reservoir,by a (L/2) × (L/2) one. In fact, FRACTAM replaces the original L× L lattice by a hierarchical (fractal) lattice, in such a way thatfinding the solution of the two-phase flow equations becomes trivial. Thistriviality translates in practice into computer efficiency. For N=L ×L grid blocks we find that the computer time necessary to calculatefractional flow F(t) and pressure P(t) as a function of time scales as N^1.7 for FRACTAM-R. This should be contrasted with thecomputational time of a conventional grid simulator N^2.3. The solution we find in this way is an accurateapproximation to the direct solution of the original problem.     

Effect of an inhibitor on high-speed turbulent flames and the transition to detonation

The influence of an inhibitor (CF₃Br or Halon 1301) on the propagation of high-speed turbulent flames, quasi-detonations and the transition to detonation has been investigated for methane-air, propane-air and acetylene-air mixtures. The experiments are carried out in a 13 m tube (15 cm diameter) filled with regularly spaced orifice plates (blockage ratio of 0.39) to ensure rapid flame acceleration. In all cases, the addition of the inhibitor reduces the turbulent flame velocity and extinguishes the flame with sufficient inhibitor concentration (2.7% and 7.5% for methane-air and propane-air, respectively). For acetylene-air mixtures, the quasi-detonation speed is progressively reduced with increasing inhibitor concentration and eventually causes the failure of the quasi-detonation and transition back to a fast turbulent flame. The inhibitor also narrows the propagation limits in all cases. To elucidate the inhibition mechanism, detailed modelling of both the turbulent flame structure as well as the chemical kinetics are required.