Analytical solution for the time-fractional heat conduction equation in spherical coordinate system by the method of variable separation

In this paper,using the fractional Fourier law,we obtain the fractional heat conduction equation with a time-fractional derivative in the spherical coordinate system.The method of variable separation is used to solve the timefractional heat conduction equation.The Caputo fractional derivative of the order 0 < α≤ 1 is used.The solution is presented in terms of the Mittag-Leffler functions.Numerical results are illustrated graphically for various values of fractional derivative.     

A note on the definition of fractional derivatives applied in rheology

It is known that there exist obivious differences between the two most commonly used definitions of fractional derivatives—Riemann–Liouville (R–L) definition and Caputo definition. The multiple definitions of fractional derivatives in fractional calculus have hindered the application of fractional calculus in rheology. In this paper, we clarify that the R–L definition and Caputo definition are both rheologically imperfect with the help of mechanical analogues of the fractional element model (Scott–Blair model). We also clarify that to make them perfect rheologically, the lower terminals of both definitions should be put to ∞. We further prove that the R–L definition with lower terminal a →∞ and the Caputo definition with lower terminal a →∞ are equivalent in the differentiation of functions that are smooth enough and functions that have finite number of singular points. Thus we can define the fractional derivatives in rheology as the R–L derivatives with lower terminal a →∞ (or, equivalently, the Caputo derivatives with lower terminal a →∞) not only for steady-state processes, but also for transient processes. Based on the above definition, the problems of composition rules of fractional operators and the initial conditions for fractional differential equations are discussed, respectively. As an example we study a fractional oscillator with Scott–Blair model and give an exact solution of this equation under given initial conditions.     

Scale-adaptive simulation of flow past wavy cylinders at a subcritical Reynolds number

The Xu & Yan scale-adaptive simulation (XYSAS) model is employed to simulate the flows past wavy cylinders at Reynolds number 8 × 10 3.This approach yields results in good agreement with experimental measurements.The mean flow field and near wake vortex structure are replicated and compared with that of a corresponding circular cylinder.The effects of wavelength ratios λ/D m from 3 to 7,together with the amplitude ratios a /D m of 0.091 and 0.25,are fully investigated.Owing to the wavy configuration,a maximum reduction of Strouhal number and root-meansquare (r.m.s) fluctuating lift coefficients are up to 50% and 92%,respectively,which means the vortex induced vibration (VIV) could be effectively alleviated at certain larger values of λ/D m and a /D m.Also,the drag coefficients can be reduced by 30%.It is found that the flow field presents contrary patterns with the increase of λ/D m.The free shear layer becomes much more stable and rolls up into mature vortex only further downstream when λ/D m falls in the range of 5-7.The amplitude ratio a /D m greatly changes the separation line,and subsequently influences the wake structures.     

Elastically restrained Bernoulli-Euler beams applied to rotary machinery modelling

Facing the lateral vibration problem of a machine rotor as a beam on elastic supports in bending,the authors deal with the free vibration of elastically restrained Bernoulli-Euler beams carrying a finite number of concentrated elements along their length.Based on Rayleigh's quotient,an iterative strategy is developed to find the approximated torsional stiffness coefficients,which allows the reconciliation between the theoretical model results and the experimental ones,obtained through impact tests.The mentioned algorithm treats the vibration of continuous beams under a determined set of boundary and continuity conditions, including different torsional stiffness coefficients and the effect of attached concentrated masses and rotational inertias, not only in the energetic terms of the Rayleigh's quotient but also on the mode shapes,considering the shape functions defined in branches.Several loading cases are examined and examples are given to illustrate the validity of the model and accuracy of the obtained natural frequencies.     

Stability and Hopf bifurcation of a delayed ratio-dependent predator-prey system

Since the ratio-dependent theory reflects the fact that predators must share and compete for food, it is suitable for describing the relationship between predators and their preys and has recently become a very important theory put forward by biologists. In order to investigate the dynamical relationship between predators and their preys, a so-called Michaelis-Menten ratio-dependent predator-prey model is studied in this paper with gestation time delays of predators and preys taken into consideration. The stability of the positive equilibrium is investigated by the Nyquist criteria, and the existence of the local Hopf bifurcation is analyzed by employing the theory of Hopf bifurcation. By means of the center manifold and the normal form theories, explicit formulae are derived to determine the stability, direction and other properties of bifurcating periodic solutions. The above theoretical results are validated by numerical simulations with the help of dynamical software WinPP. The results show that if both the gestation delays are small enough, their sizes will keep stable in the long run, but if the gestation delays of predators are big enough, their sizes will periodically fluc-tuate in the long term. In order to reveal the effects of time delays on the ratio-dependent predator-prey model, a ratiodependent predator-prey model without time delays is considered. By Hurwitz criteria, the local stability of positive equilibrium of this model is investigated. The conditions under which the positive equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable are obtained. By comparing the results with those of the model with time delays, it shows that the dynamical behaviors of ratio-dependent predator-prey model with time delays are more complicated. Under the same conditions, namely, with the same parameters, the stability of positive equilibrium of ratio-dependent predator-prey model would change due to the introduction of gestation time delays for predators and preys. Moreover, with the variation of time delays, the positive equilibrium of the ratio-dependent predator-prey model subjects to Hopf bifurcation.     

Doubly periodic patterns of modulated hydrodynamic waves: Exact solutions of the Davey-Stewartson system

Exact doubly periodic standing wave patterns of the Davey-Stewartson (DS) equations are derived in terms of rational expressions of elliptic functions.In fluid mechanics,DS equations govern the evolution of weakly nonlinear,free surface wave packets when long wavelength modulations in two mutually perpendicular,horizontal directions are incorporated.Elliptic functions with two different moduli (periods) are necessary in the two directions.The relation between the moduli and the wave numbers constitutes the dispersion relation of such waves.In the long wave limit,localized pulses are recovered.     

The method of variation on parameters for integration of a generalized Birkhoffian system

This paper focuses on studying the integration method of a generalized Birkhoffian system.The method of variation on parameters for the dynamical equations of a generalized Birkhoffian system is presented.The procedure for solving the problem can be divided into two steps:the first step,a system of auxiliary equations is constructed and its general solution is given;the second step,the parameters are varied,and the solution of the problem is obtained by using the properties of generalized canonical transformation.The method of variation on parameters for the generalized Birkhoffian system is of universal significance,and we take a nonholonomic system and a nonconservative system as examples to illustrate the application of the results of this paper.     

Steady thermocapillary-buoyant convection in a shallow annular pool. Part 2: Two immiscible fluids

This work is devoted to the study of steady thermocapillary-buoyant convection in a system of two horizontal superimposed immiscible liquid layers filling a lateral heated thin annular pool.The governing equations are solved using an asymptotic theory for the aspect ratios ε→ 0.Asymptotic solutions of the velocity and temperature fields are obtained in the core region away from the cylinder walls.In order to validate the asymptotic solutions,numerical simulations are also carried out and the results are compared to each other.It is found that the present asymptotic solutions are valid in most of the core region.And the applicability of the obtained asymptotic solutions decreases with the increase of the aspect ratio and the thickness ratio of the two layers.For a system of gallium arsenide (lower layer) and boron oxide (upper layer),the buoyancy slightly weakens the thermocapillary convection in the upper layer and strengthens it in the lower layer.     

Analysis of regular and chaotic dynamics of the Euler-Bernoulli beams using finite difference and finite element methods

Chaotic vibrations of flexible non-linear Euler-Bernoulli beams subjected to harmonic load and with various boundary conditions(symmetric and non-symmetric)are studied in this work.Reliability of the obtained results is verified by the finite difference method(FDM)and the finite element method(FEM)with the Bubnov-Galerkin approximation for various boundary conditions and various dynamic regimes(regular and non-regular).The influence of boundary conditions on the Euler-Bernoulli beams dynamics is studied mainly,dynamic behavior vs.control parameters { ωp,q0 } is reported,and scenarios of the system transition into chaos are illustrated.     

On the unsteady motion and stability of a heaving airfoil in ground effect

This study explores the fluid mechanics and force generation capabilities of an inverted heaving airfoil placed close to a moving ground using a URANS solver with the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. By varying the mean ground clearance and motion frequency of the airfoil, it was possible to construct a frequency-height diagram of the various forces acting on the airfoil. The ground was found to enhance the downforce and reduce the drag with respect to freestream. The unsteady motion induces hysteresis in the forces’ behaviour. At moderate ground clearance, the hysteresis increases with frequency and the airfoil loses energy to the flow, resulting in a stabilizing motion. By analogy with a pitching motion, the airfoil stalls in close proximity to the ground. At low frequencies, the motion is unstable and could lead to stall flutter. A stall flutter analysis was undertaken. At higher frequencies, inviscid effects overcome the large separation and the motion becomes stable. Forced trailing edge vortex shedding appears at high frequencies. The shedding mechanism seems to be independent of ground proximity. However, the wake is altered at low heights as a result of an interaction between the vortices and the ground.