Predictive model for stage-discharge curve in compound channels with vegetated floodplains

The governing equation of the discharge per unit width, derived from the flow continuity equation and the momentum equation in the vegetated compound chan- nel, is established. The analytical solution to the discharge per unit width is presented, including the effects of bed friction, lateral momentum transfer, drag force, and secondary flows. A simple＇ but available numerical integral method, i.e., the compound trapezoidM formula, is used to calculate the approximate solutions of the sub-area discharge and the total discharge. A comparison with the published experimental data from the U. K. Flood Channel Facility （UK-FCF） demonstrates that this model is capable of predicting not only the stage-discharge curve but also the sub-area discharge in the vegetated com- pound channel. The effects of the two crucial parameters, i.e., the divided number of the integral interval and the secondary flow coefficient, on the total discharge are discussed and analyzed.     

Three-dimensional water entry of a solid body: A computational study

Marine vessels are continuously subject to impulsive loading from impact on the water surface. Understanding and quantifying the hydrodynamics generated by the three-dimensional (3D) water impact of a solid body is central to the design of resilient and performing vessels. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) constitutes a viable tool for the study of water entry problems, which may overcome some of the drawbacks associated with semi-analytical and experimental methods. Here, we present a new computational study of the 3D water entry of a solid body with multiple curvatures. The method of finite volume is utilized to discretize incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in both air and water, and the method of volume of fluid is employed to describe the resulting free-surface multiphase flow. Computational results are validated against available experimental findings obtained using particle image velocimetry in terms of both the flow kinetics and kinematics. Specifically, we demonstrate the accuracy of our CFD solution in predicting the overall force experienced by the hull, the pile-up phenomenon, the velocity field in the water, the distribution of the hydrodynamic loading, and the energy transfer during the impact. Our approach is expected to aid in the validation of new semi-analytical solutions and to offer a viable means for conducting parametric studies and design optimization on marine vessels.     

Vibrations of a cylinder in a uniform flow in the presence of a no-slip side-wall

A circular cylinder placed in a uniform flow, and that spans the entire length between two side walls, may experience either parallel or oblique vortex shedding depending on the end conditions. It was shown by Mittal and Sidharth (2014) that the spatio-temporal periodicity of the oblique vortex shedding results in constant-in-time force experienced by the cylinder. On the contrary, parallel vortex shedding leads to fluid force that fluctuates with time. The free vibrations of a circular cylinder, in the presence of a wall, are investigated. For comparison, computations with end walls, where a slip condition on velocity is specified, are also carried out. The Reynolds number, based on the diameter of the cylinder and free-stream speed of the flow, is Re=100. The initial condition for the free vibrations is the fully developed unsteady flow past a stationary cylinder with oblique shedding. It is found that as the amplitude of vibration of the cylinder builds up, the vortices shed from the cylinder align with its axis leading to parallel shedding. The response of the cylinder is associated with two branches: initial and lower. On the lower branch, the response of the cylinder is virtually identical from two- and three-dimensional computations. The flow as well as the response is different on the initial branch and outside the synchronization regime. Forced vibrations confirm the phenomena.     

Simple analytical model for depth-averaged velocity in meandering compound channels

A simple but applicable analytical model is presented to predict the lateral distribution of the depth-averaged velocity in meandering compound channels. The governing equation with curvilinear coordinates is derived from the momentum equation and the flow continuity equation under the condition of quasi-uniform flow. A series of experiments are conducted in a large-scale meandering compound channel. Based on the experimental data, a magnitude analysis is carried out for the governing equation, and two lower-order shear stress terms are ignored. Four groups of experimental data from different sources are used to verify the predictive capability of this model, and good predictions are obtained. Finally, the determination of the velocity parameter and the limitation of this model are discussed.     

Effect of particle shape on micro- and mesostructure evolution of granular assemblies under biaxial loading conditions

Discrete element method (DEM) numerical biaxial tests on samples with different particle shapes are performed to investigate how the multiscale evolves with varying particle shape. The samples used in such simulations are composed of circular, square, and elongated particles, respectively. For the numerical results, analyses are conducted in terms of microscopic evolution, i.e. particle rotation and evolution of fabric, and mesoscopic evolution, i.e. the evolution of loops and improved clustering coefficient. At the microscale, the mean particle rotation of circular particles is remarkably larger than those of square and elongated particles, and the shear band localization phenomenon is more obvious when the aspect ratio (AR) decreases. Considering the fabric evolving with particle shape, the value of anisotropy gradually increases when particle shape becomes irregular, and contacts of circular particles are pronouncedly less than those of irregular particles from the coordination number and curves of degree distribution. At the mesoscale, when the particle relationship is considered, the isotropic particles (i.e. circular and square particles) have similar evolutions of loops and modified clustering coefficient, whereas the elongated particles have remarkable three loops and modified clustering coefficient, which are both larger than those of isotropic particles.     

Influence of particle shape on the microstructure evolution and the mechanical properties of granular materials

In order to study the influence of particle shape on the microstructure evolution and the mechanical properties of granular materials, a two-dimensional DEM analysis of samples with three particle shapes, including circular particles, triangular particles, and elongated particles, is proposed here to simulate the direct shear tests of coarse-grained soils. For the numerical test results, analyses are conducted in terms of particle rotations, fabric evolution, and average path length evolution. A modified Rowe's stress–dilatancy equation is also proposed and successfully fitted onto simulation data.     

Solubility and diffusivity of organotin stabilizers in non-plasticized PVC

The kinetics of diffusion and equilibrium concentration of ten organotin stabilizers have been studied, at 100°, in non-plasticized PVC. The solvating role of the ester groups, especially when they are intramolecularly coordinated to the tin atom, is clearly indicated. No correlation has been found between the penetrant molar volume and its diffusivity, which seems largely governed by the polymer stabilizer interaction.