A general theory for the dynamics of thin viscous sheets

2002 ◽  
Vol 457 ◽  
pp. 255-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. RIBE

A model for the deformation of thin viscous sheets of arbitrary shape subject to arbitrary loading is presented. The starting point is a scaling analysis based on an analytical solution of the Stokes equations for the flow in a shallow (nearly planar) sheet with constant thickness T0 and principal curvatures k1 and k2, loaded by an harmonic normal stress with wavenumbers q1 and q2 in the directions of principal curvature. Two distinct types of deformation can occur: an ‘inextensional’ (bending) mode when [mid ]L3(k1q22 + k2q21)[mid ] [Lt ] ε, and a ‘membrane’ (stretching) mode when [mid ]L3(k1q22 + k2q21)[mid ] [Gt ] ε, where L ≡ (q21 + q22)−1/2 and ε = T0/L [Lt ] 1. The scales revealed by the shallow-sheet solution together with asympotic expansions in powers of ε are used to reduce the three-dimensional equations for the flow in the sheet to a set of equivalent two-dimensional equations, valid in both the inextensional and membrane limits, for the velocity U of the sheet midsurface. Finally, kinematic evolution equations for the sheet shape (metric and curvature tensors) and thickness are derived. Illustrative numerical solutions of the equations are presented for a variety of buoyancy-driven deformations that exhibit buckling instabilities. A collapsing hemispherical dome with radius L deforms initially in a compressional membrane mode, except in bending boundary layers of width ∼ (εL)1/2 near a clamped equatorial edge, and is unstable to a buckling mode which propagates into the dome from that edge. Buckling instabilities are suppressed by the extensional flow in a sagging inverted dome (pendant drop), which consequently evolves entirely in the membrane mode. A two-dimensional viscous jet falling onto a rigid plate exhibits steady periodic folding, the frequency of which varies with the jet height and extrusion rate in a way similar to that observed experimentally.

1990 ◽  
Vol 220 ◽  
pp. 397-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Pauley ◽  
Parviz Moin ◽  
William C. Reynolds

The separation of a two-dimensional laminar boundary layer under the influence of a suddenly imposed external adverse pressure gradient was studied by time-accurate numerical solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations. It was found that a strong adverse pressure gradient created periodic vortex shedding from the separation. The general features of the time-averaged results were similar to experimental results for laminar separation bubbles. Comparisons were made with the ‘steady’ separation experiments of Gaster (1966). It was found that his ‘bursting’ occurs under the same conditions as our periodic shedding, suggesting that bursting is actually periodic shedding which has been time-averaged. The Strouhal number based on the shedding frequency, local free-stream velocity, and boundary-layer momentum thickness at separation was independent of the Reynolds number and the pressure gradient. A criterion for onset of shedding was established. The shedding frequency was the same as that predicted for the most amplified linear inviscid instability of the separated shear layer.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander K. Y. Tam ◽  
Brendan Harding ◽  
J. Edward F. Green ◽  
Sanjeeva Balasuriya ◽  
Benjamin J. Binder

Understanding microbial biofilm growth is important to public health, because biofilms are a leading cause of persistent clinical infections. In this paper, we develop a thin-film model for microbial biofilm growth on a solid substratum to which it adheres strongly. We model biofilms as two-phase viscous fluid mixtures of living cells and extracellular fluid. The model tracks the movement, depletion, and uptake of nutrients explicitly, and incorporates cell proliferation via a nutrient-dependent source term. Notably, our thin-film reduction is two-dimensional and includes the vertical dependence of cell volume fraction. Numerical solutions show that this vertical dependence is weak for biologically-feasible parameters, reinforcing results from previous models in which this dependence was neglected. We exploit this weak dependence by writing and solving a simplified one-dimensional model that is computationally more efficient than the full model. We use both the one and two-dimensional models to predict how model parameters affect expansion speed and biofilm thickness. This analysis reveals that expansion speed depends on cell proliferation, nutrient availability, cell-cell adhesion on the upper surface, and slip on the biofilm-substratum interface. Our numerical solutions provide a means to qualitatively distinguish between the extensional flow and lubrication regimes, and quantitative predictions that can be tested in future experiments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 725 ◽  
pp. 462-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikos Savva ◽  
Serafim Kalliadasis

AbstractWe consider the static and dynamic behaviour of two-dimensional droplets on inclined heterogeneous substrates. We utilize an evolution equation for the droplet thickness based on the long-wave approximation of the Stokes equations in the presence of slip. Through a singular perturbation procedure, evolution equations for the location of the two moving fronts are obtained under the assumption of quasi-static dynamics. The deduced equations, which are verified by direct comparisons with numerical solutions to the governing equation, are scrutinized in a variety of dynamic and equilibrium settings. For example, we demonstrate the possibility for stick–slip dynamics, substrate-induced hysteresis, the uphill motion of the droplet for sufficiently strong chemical gradients and the existence of a critical inclination angle beyond which the droplet can no longer be supported at equilibrium. Where possible, analytical expressions are obtained for various quantities of interest, which are also verified by appropriate numerical experiments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasuga Ito ◽  
Masato Furukawa ◽  
Kazutoyo Yamada ◽  
Kaito Manabe

Abstract Turbulence is one of the most important phenomena in fluid dynamics. Large eddy simulation (LES) generally allows us to analyze smaller eddies than when using simulations based on unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations (URANS). In addition, the numerical solutions of LES show good agreements with experiments and numerical solutions based on direct numerical simulation. URANS simulations are, however, frequently used in academia and industry because LES computations are much more expensive compared with URANS simulations. In this investigation, an optimization of unsolved coefficients of the k–ω two equations model is performed on the transonic flow around T106A low-pressure turbine cascade to improve the accuracy of turbulence prediction with URANS. For the optimization approach, two-dimensional URANS is combined with ensemble Kalman filter which is one of the data assimilation techniques. In the assimilation process, a time- and spanwise-averaged LES result is used as pseudo-experimental data. Three-dimensional URANS simulations are performed for the evaluation of the optimization effect. URANS simulations are also applied to a different turbine cascade flow for the evaluation of the robustness of the optimized coefficients. These URANS results confirmed that the optimized coefficients improve the accuracy of turbulence prediction.


1998 ◽  
Vol 363 ◽  
pp. 199-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
AURELIUS PROCHAZKA ◽  
D. I. PULLIN

We investigate, numerically and analytically, the structure and stability of steady and quasi-steady solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations corresponding to stretched vortices embedded in a uniform non-symmetric straining field, (αx, βy, γz), α+β+γ=0, one principal axis of extensional strain of which is aligned with the vorticity. These are known as non-symmetric Burgers vortices (Robinson & Saffman 1984). We consider vortex Reynolds numbers R=Γ/(2πv) where Γ is the vortex circulation and v the kinematic viscosity, in the range R=1−104, and a broad range of strain ratios λ=(β−α)/(β+α) including λ>1, and in some cases λ[Gt ]1. A pseudo-spectral method is used to obtain numerical solutions corresponding to steady and quasi-steady vortex states over our whole (R, λ) parameter space including λ where arguments proposed by Moffatt, Kida & Ohkitani (1994) demonstrate the non-existence of strictly steady solutions. When λ[Gt ]1, R[Gt ]1 and ε≡λ/R[Lt ]1, we find an accurate asymptotic form for the vorticity in a region 1<r/(2v/γ)1/2[les ]ε1/2, giving very good agreement with our numerical solutions. This suggests the existence of an extended region where the exponentially small vorticity is confined to a nearly cat's-eye-shaped region of the almost two-dimensional flow, and takes a constant value nearly equal to Γγ/(4πv)exp[−1/(2eε)] on bounding streamlines. This allows an estimate of the leakage rate of circulation to infinity as ∂Γ/∂t =(0.48475/4π)γε−1Γ exp (−1/2eε) with corresponding exponentially slow decay of the vortex when λ>1. An iterative technique based on the power method is used to estimate the largest eigenvalues for the non-symmetric case λ>0. Stability is found for 0[les ]λ[les ]1, and a neutrally convective mode of instability is found and analysed for λ>1. Our general conclusion is that the generalized non-symmetric Burgers vortex is unconditionally stable to two-dimensional disturbances for all R, 0[les ]λ[les ]1, and that when λ>1, the vortex will decay only through exponentially slow leakage of vorticity, indicating extreme robustness in this case.


1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reima Iwatsu ◽  
Jae Min Hyun ◽  
Kunio Kuwahara

Numerical studies were made of the flow of a viscous fluid in a two-dimensional square container. The flows are driven by the top sliding wall, which executes sinusoidal oscillations. Numerical solutions were acquired by solving the time-dependent, two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Results are presented for wide ranges of two principal physical parameters, i.e., Re, the Reynolds number and ω′, the nondimensional frequency of the lid oscillation. Comprehensive details of the flow-structure are presented. When ω′ is small, the flow bears qualitative similarity to the well-documented steady driven-cavity flow. The flow in the bulk of cavity region is affected by the motion of the sliding upper lid. On the contrary, when ω′ is large, the fluid motion tends to be confined within a thin layer near the oscillating lid. In this case, the flow displays the characteristic features of a thin-layer flow. When ω′ is intermediate, ω′ ~ O(1), the effect of the side walls is pronounced; the flow pattern reveals significant changes between the low-Re and high-Re limits. Streamline plots are constructed for different parameter spaces. Physically informative interpretations are proposed which help gain physical insight into the dynamics. The behavior of the force coefficient Cf has been examined. The magnitude and phase lag of Cf are determined by elaborate post-processings of the numerical data. By utilizing the wealth of the computational results, characterizations of Cf as functions of Re and ω′ are attempted. These are in qualitative consistency with the theoretical predictions for the limiting parameter values.


1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-165
Author(s):  
A. M. Abdelhalim ◽  
U. Ghia ◽  
K. N. Ghia

This study was undertaken with the primary purpose of developing an analysis for flow past a class of two-dimensional and axisymmetric semi-infinite bodies. The time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for these flows are derived in surface-oriented conformal coordinates (ξ, η) in terms of similarity-type vorticity and stream-function variables. Turbulence closure is achieved by means of a two-equation turbulence model utilizing the kinetic energy k and its dissipation rate ε which enable determination of the isotropic eddy viscosity. The coupled vorticity and stream-function equations are solved simultaneously using an incremental formulation of the factored alternating-direction implicit scheme. The turbulence equations for k and ε are solved by the standard ADI method. Numerical solutions are obtained for the thin flat plate and compared with available experimental and analytical data. Also, results are obtained for flow over a parabola and compared with the flat-plate results in order to assess the effects of longitudinal curvature on the flow results. Finally, solutions are obtained for flow past a two-dimensional semi-infinite body with a shoulder, at Red = 24,000. The computed results have the same general trend as the experimental data; possible causes for the differences within the separated-flow region are cited.


1972 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 873-878 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. McDonald ◽  
V. E. Denny ◽  
A. F. Mills

Numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations are obtained for steady two-dimensional flow in the inlet region of both a tube and a channel. The entering flow is considered to be either uniform (u = constant, v = 0) or irrotational (u = constant, ω = 0). Values of Reynolds number Re = u0a/ν range from 0.75 to 2 × 106. An improved method for solving the stream function-vorticity equations of hydrodynamics has been developed. The method is stable at all Reynolds numbers and appears to be computationally superior to previous methods.


1997 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Tran Gia Lich ◽  
Le Kim Luat ◽  
Han Quoc Trinh

This paper is devoted to a numerical method for calculating the pressure on the vertical two-dimensional valve basing on Navier-Stokes equations. Numerical solutions at interior points are established by splitting Navie-Stokes unsteady two-dimensional equations into two unsteady one-dimensional equations. An implicit scheme is obtained and the solution for these equations is established by the double sweep method. The values at the boundary points are calculated by the method of characteristics.


Author(s):  
Aleksandr V Obabko ◽  
Kevin W Cassel

Numerical solutions of the flow induced by a thick-core vortex have been obtained using the unsteady, two-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations. The presence of the vortex causes an adverse pressure gradient along the surface, which leads to unsteady separation. The calculations by Brinckman and Walker for a similar flow identify a possible instability, purported to be an inviscid Rayleigh instability, in the region where ejection of near-wall vorticity occurs during the unsteady separation process. In results for a range of Reynolds numbers in the present investigation, the oscillations are also found to occur. However, they can be eliminated with increased grid resolution. Despite this behaviour, the instability may be physical but requires a sufficient amplitude of disturbances to be realized.


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