Determination of flutter derivatives via a neural network approach

A neural-network-based method is offered to determine the flutter derivatives of section models under smooth and turbulent flows. The approach uses the observed dynamic responses to train an appropriate neural network. Subsequently, the modal parameters of the model for different mean velocities of wind flow are directly estimated using weight matrices in the neural network. The flutter derivatives can then be determined accurately. The validity of the present method is verified through numerical studies. Finally, the procedure is employed to process experimental data from an inverted-U-type section model, obtained from wind tunnel tests.     

A note on the necessary conditions for the algebraic Riccati equation

We derive some useful and easily computable necessary conditionsfor the existence of a positive semi-definite solution to thealgebraic Ricatti equation (ARE). A motivating example is givento highlight the usefulness of the conditions for controllerand observer designs for nonlinear systems. Further, an upperbound on the trace of the solution to the ARE is also derived.     

Karhunen–Loeve representations of turbulent channel flows using the method of snapshots

For three‐dimensional flows with one inhomogeneous spatial coordinate and two periodic directions, the Karhunen–Loeve procedure is typically formulated as a spatial eigenvalue problem. This is normally referred to as the direct method (DM). Here we derive an equivalent formulation in which the eigenvalue problem is formulated in the temporal coordinate. It is shown that this so‐called method of snapshots (MOS) has some numerical advantages when compared to the DM. In particular, the MOS can be formulated purely as a matrix composed of scalars, thus avoiding the need to construct a matrix of matrices as in the DM. In addition, the MOS avoids the need for so‐called weight functions, which emerge in the DM as a result of the non‐uniform grid typically employed in the inhomogeneous direction. The avoidance of such weight functions, which may exhibit singular behaviour, guarantees satisfaction of the boundary conditions. The MOS is applied to data sets recently obtained from the direct simulation of turbulence in a channel in which viscoelasticity is imparted to the fluid using a Giesekus model. The analysis reveals a steep drop in the dimensionality of the turbulence as viscoelasticity is increased. This is consistent with the results that have been obtained with other viscoelastic models, thus revealing an essential generic feature of polymer‐induced drag reduced turbulent flows. Published in 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Double-diffusive convection for a heated cylinder submerged in a salt-stratified fluid layer

Double-diffusive convection due to a cylindrical source submerged in a salt-stratified solution is numerically investigated in this study. For proper simulation of the vortex generated around the cylinder, a computational domain with irregular shape is employed. Flow conditions depend strongly on the thermal Rayleigh number, Ra _T , and the buoyancy ratio, R _ρ. There are two types of onset of instability existing in the flow field. Both types are due to either the interaction of the upward temperature gradient and downward salinity gradient or the interaction of the lateral temperature gradient and downward salinity gradient. The onset of layer instability due to plume convection is due to the former, whereas, the onset of layer instability of layers around the cylinder is due to the latter. Both types can be found in the flow field. The transport mechanism of layers at the top of the basic plume belongs to former while that due to basic plume and layer around the cylinder are the latter. The increase in Ra _T reinforces the plume convection and reduces the layer numbers generated around the cylinder for the same buoyancy ratio. For the same Ra _T , the increase of R _ρ suppresses the plume convection but reinforces the layers generated around the cylinder. The profiles of local Nusselt number reflects the heat transfer characteristics of plume convection and layered structure. The profiles of averaged Nusselt number are between the pure conduction and natural convection modes and the variation is due to the evolution of layers. Received on 13 September 1996     

Kinetics of benzonitrile nitration with mixed acid under homogeneous conditions

Chemical kinetics of benzonitrile nitration with mixed acid is investigated in the temperature range 283–299 K. Pseudo-first-order rate constants are evaluated by means of rate experiments on homogeneous reacting mixtures having large stoichiometric excesses of nitric acid. The second-order kinetic constants for nitronium ion attack to the aromatic substrate are derived on the basis of the assessed nitration mechanism. An activation energy of 604 ± 37 kJ mol^?1 is calculated for this reaction step. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

AN ALTERNATIVE SPECIFICATION FOR MODELING GROUNDWATER DYNAMICS

This research extends previous work with dynamic models to manage groundwater quality by using the consumptive nitrate use rate instead of the nitrate application rate. The analysis indicates that misspecification results in overestimation of economic benefits, and supra-optimum nitrogen fertilizer application rates and groundwater nitrate stocks at a steady state.     

Selective saturation and inversion of multiple resonances in high-resolution solid-state 13C experiments using slow spinning CP/MAS and tailored DANTE pulse sequences.

Taking advantage of the long 13C T1 values generally encountered in solids, selective saturation and inversion of more than one resonance in 13C CP/MAS experiments can be achieved by sequentially applying several DANTE pulse sequences centered at different transmitter frequency offsets. A new selective saturation pulse sequence is introduced composed of a series of 90 degrees DANTE sequences separated by interrupted decoupling periods during which the selected resonance is destroyed. Applications of this method, including the simplification of the measurement of the principal values of the 13C chemical shift tensor under slow MAS conditions, are described. The determination of the aromaticity of coal using a relatively slow MAS rate is also described.