Optimization of transversal flow stress and strain and weld seam microstructure analysis in butt-HDPE friction stir welded plates

The paper aims to optimize the characteristic performances of friction stir welding of high-density polyethylene in order to predict failure modes in weld nugget and interfacial zones. Three replicates of a face central composite design are employed to estimate the effects of parameters process, on the transversal flow stress and strain of the seam and to understand root causes, which may lead to structural defects such as the onset of cracks and the seam-base metal rupture. The study findings disclose that maximum responses are obtained when the tool rotation speed is set middle and both the feed rate and the plunged surface are set high. The transversal flow stress of the welded seam is found highly sensitive to the plunged surfaces and at a lesser degree to the rotation speed, whereas, the transversal flow strain of the welded seam is mostly sensitive to the rotation speed and at a lesser degree to the plunged surfaces. For the microscopic analysis, it is shown that at low rotation speed, there exist four structural layers in the transition zone between the seam and the base material giving rise to the formation of a continuous line of cracks that can initiate structure failure.

Secondary Flows in Eccentric-Annular Tubes

In this paper, transversal flow field of nonlinear viscoelastic fluids abiding by the modified-Phan-Thien-Tanner (MPTT) constitutive model in straight tubes of eccentric-annular cross-section is investigated. An analytical solution is developed based on an asymptotic expansion in terms of the Weissenberg number coupled with the shape factor method a one-to-one mapping taking the circular cross-section into the eccentric annular cross section. The analysis reveals the formation of transversal flows due to elasticity and to the eccentricity parameter. The number of vortices in the cross-section depends on the ratio of the diameters in addition to the eccentricity parameter. The effect of these parameters on the vortical structure is explored for different values of the material parameters.

Heat Transfer Optimization in Laminar Flow of Non-Linear Viscoelastic Fluids in Asymmetric Straight Ducts With Inclusions

This paper presents the preliminary findings of an optimization study of transversal flow strength in tube cross-sections with arbitrary external contours and an internal inclusion. The eccentric tube contours are generated through a one-to-one mapping of a base circular cross-section. The working fluid obeys the non-linear modified Phan-Thien-Tanner (MPTT) constitutive model. The computation of the total transversal flow rate leads to the determination of effective cross-sections for heat transfer enhancement.

Air barriers used for separating smoke free zones in case of fire in tunnel

The aim of this paper is to take the advantage of CFD application in calculating, optimising, and designing air curtains used to separate smoke free zones in case of fire in tunnel. Air curtains can be a good solution in case when the usage of solid obstructions is not feasible(for example in a big tunnel). A properly designed air curtain produces a pressure drop which prevents transversal flow through the opening. An accurate CFD calculation of an air curtain is challenging because of the high air velocity and relatively thin nozzle. Most air curtains are tested on scaled down models which are difficult to extrapolate. Tests in a real scale model are performed and the tests results are used to verify the chosen turbulence model. The intention of this paper is to present the comparison between the CFD calculations and tests results.