The direct and inverse problem for an inclusion within a heat-conducting layered medium

This paper is concerned with the problem of heat conduction from an inclusion in a heat transfer layered medium. Making use of the boundary integral equation method, the well-posedness of the forward problem is established by the Fredholm theory. Then an inverse boundary value problem, i.e. identifying the inclusion from the measurements of the temperature and heat flux on the accessible exterior boundary of the medium is considered in the framework of the linear sampling method. Based on a careful analysis of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map, the mathematical fundamentals of the linear sampling method for reconstructing the inclusion are proved rigorously.     

Recoverable deformation and morphology after uniaxial elongation of a polystyrene/linear low density polyethylene blend

The transient recoverable deformation ratio after melt elongation at various elongational rates and maximum elongations was investigated for pure polystyrene and for a 85 wt.% polystyrene/15 wt.% linear low density polyethylene (PS/LLDPE 85:15) blend at a temperature of 170 ^oC. The ratio p of the zero shear rate viscosity of LLDPE to that of PS is p = 0.059 ≈ 1:17. Retraction of the elongated LLDPE droplets back to spheres and end-pinching is observed during recovery. A simple additive rule is applied in order to extract the contribution of the recovery of the elongated droplets from the total recovery of the blend. In that way, the recoverable portion of the PS/LLDPE blend induced by the interfacial tension is determined and compared with the results of a theory based on an effective medium approximation. The effective medium approximation reproduces well the time scale of the experimental data. In addition, the trends that the recoverable deformation increases with elongational rate and maximum elongation are captured by the theoretical approach.     

A method for relaxing parameter constraints in rigid body dynamics

As attractive alternatives to a set of three Euler angles, the rotation of a rigidly deforming body is often represented using four or more parameters. The accompanying parameter constraints introduce generalized constraint forces in the equations of motion which can often negate the benefits of a particular parameterization. In this paper, we discuss situations where the parameter constraints are not imposed. Thus, although the body no longer deforms rigidly, it does deform homogeneously. This allows the theory of a Cosserat point (or, equivalently, the theory of a pseudo-rigid body) to be used to establish equations governing its motion. Earlier work on this topic by O’Reilly and Varadi considered the four Euler parameters and the single Euler parameter constraint. Here, we consider Poincaré's six parameter representation of a rotation tensor, and, complementing earlier work, discuss numerical implementation and representative simulations. One of the contributions of this paper is the development of a viscoelastic Cosserat point, whose equations of motion are free from parameter constraints and singularities, that can be used to approximate the motion of a rigid body.     

Elasticity and Electromagnetism

Classical electrodynamics can be constructed formally as the theory of a linear elastic continuum. The Coulomb gauge expresses the medium incompressibility. The vector potential corresponds to the medium velocity. The pressure stands for the scalar potential. The electric field is modelled by an external force whose origin is beyond the elastic model. The electric charge corresponds to a medium defect which produces the perturbation ~ 1/r of the pressure field. The defects interact with each other according to the conservation law in the torsion field of the medium.     

A Cosserat shell model for interphases in elastic media

This study is concerned with the modeling of interphases in elastic media in general, and in composite materials in particular. The aim is to replace a boundary value problem consisting of a three-phase configuration, say that of fiber-interphase-matrix, by a simpler problem which involves the fiber and matrix only, plus certain matching conditions which simulate the interphase. The simplest of such known representations replaces a thin interphase by a “perfect contact interface” (a single surface) across which the displacements and tractions are assumed to be continuous. Another classical model replaces a thin and soft interphase by a “spring-type interface”, across which the tractions are continuous, but the displacement field undergoes a discontinuity. In the present paper, a Cosserat shell model of the interphase is derived which successfully models the original interphase in a unified manner, for the full range of its material parameters relative to those of the neighboring media. The model is derived in the setting of three-dimensional linear elasticity with small deformations and displacements. Comparisons with an existing exact solution of a coated fiber in an infinite matrix show that it performs extremely well even for moderately thick interphases.     

A Film-Flow Model to Describe Free Water Transport during Drying of a Hygroscopic Capillary Porous Medium

In this work, a two-phase film-flow model in a hygroscopic capillary tube is developed and extended to describe the two-phase capillary viscous transport in a network of parallel capillary tubes in terms of relative permeabilities. This film-flow approach is further considered to predict the longitudinal moisture transport in oak wood during drying. Numerical results obtained from this prediction are compared with data of convective drying experiments performed on samples of this wood. The comparison seems to confirm the physical relevance of a film-flow model to correctly represent the moisture transfer until the hygroscopic regime is reached.     

Constitutive equation of a gas-filled two-phase medium

A set of equations governing the consolidation of a two-phase medium consisting of a porous elastic skeleton saturated with a highly compressible liquid (gas), is described. The homogenization method was utilized to deduce the equations. For the equivalent macroscopic medium, mass and momentum conservation equations and the flow equation of pore liquid are presented. Sample material constants were calculated using laboratory test results which were carried out at the Institute of Geotechnics, Technical University of Wroclaw.     

Two fluid flow and heat transfer in an inclined channel containing porous and fluid layer

Convective flow and heat transfer in an inclined channel bounded by two rigid plates held at constant different temperatures with one region filled with porous matrix saturated with a viscous fluid and another region with a clear viscous fluid different from the fluid in first region is studied analytically. The coupled nonlinear governing equations are solved using regular perturbation method. It is found that the presence of porous matrix in one of the region reduces the velocity and temperature. Results have been presented for a wide range of governing parameters such as Grashof number, porous parameter, angle of inclination, ratio of heights of the two layers and also the ratio of viscosities.     

Experimental Determination of the Longitudinal Dispersivity During the Injection of a Micro-Cement Grout in a One-Dimensional Soil Column

In order to describe the basic phenomenon of miscible grout propagation during the injection in a saturated and deformable porous medium, a general mathematical model was proposed, which accounts for the existing coupling between the fluid flow analysis, the miscible grout transport, and the solid skeleton deformation, leading to a realistic prediction of the injected zone. The development of the model was made concurrently with laboratory experiments to determine the model parameters. This paper describes the determination of the longitudinal dispersivity during the transport of a micro-cement grout injected in a one-dimensional soil column, by relying on image processing analysis. The application concerned here is the injection of soils for improving their properties, that is, to reduce permeability, increase mechanical strength or reduce the deformability. The longitudinal dispersion coefficient is an essential parameter governing the mixing process and the evolution of the transition zone, and thus the injection efficiency. Finally, the comparison between simulated results from the developed model and experimental data, essential to validate the model from a phenomenological standpoint, is made.     

非均匀介质有限元法

提出适合非均匀介质应力分析的有限元法．文中在有限单元内部采用等参变换方法模拟材料特性的变化，算例表明该法计算效率高，计算精度好．