Wall shear stress calculations in space–time finite element computation of arterial fluid–structure interactions

The stabilized space–time fluid–structure interaction (SSTFSI) technique was applied to arterial FSI problems soon after its development by the Team for Advanced Flow Simulation and Modeling. The SSTFSI technique is based on the Deforming-Spatial-Domain/Stabilized Space–Time (DSD/SST) formulation and is supplemented with a number of special techniques developed for arterial FSI. The special techniques developed in the recent past include a recipe for pre-FSI computations that improve the convergence of the FSI computations, using an estimated zero-pressure arterial geometry, Sequentially Coupled Arterial FSI technique, using layers of refined fluid mechanics mesh near the arterial walls, and a special mapping technique for specifying the velocity profile at inflow boundaries with non-circular shape. In this paper we introduce some additional special techniques, related to the projection of fluid–structure interface stresses, calculation of the wall shear stress (WSS), and calculation of the oscillatory shear index. In the test computations reported here, we focus on WSS calculations in FSI modeling of a patient-specific middle cerebral artery segment with aneurysm. Two different structural mechanics meshes and three different fluid mechanics meshes are tested to investigate the influence of mesh refinement on the WSS calculations.     

On using radial basis functions in a “finite difference mode” with applications to elasticity problems

A way of using RBF as the basis for PDEs solvers is presented, its essence being constructing approximate formulas for derivatives discretizations based on RBF interpolants with local supports similar to stencils in finite difference methods. Numerical results for different types of elasticity equations showing reasonable accuracy and good h-convergence properties of the technique are presented. In particular, examples of RBF solution in the case of non-linear Karman-Fopple equations are considered.This work was supported by INTAS, project N1150 and Russian Fund of basic researches, grant 02-01-00436.     

On elastic–plastic fracture behavior of a bi-layered composite plate with a sub-interface crack under mixed mode loading

A generalized Irwin model is proposed to investigate elastic–plastic fracture behavior of a bi-layered composite plate with a sub-interface crack under combined tension and shear loading. The dependence of the stress intensity factors, the plastic zone size, the effective stress intensity factor and the crack tip opening displacement on the crack depth h, the Dundurs’ parameters and the phase angle θ is discussed in detail. Numerical results show that in most cases, if the crack is embedded in a stiffer material, when the crack is close to the interface, the plastic zone size and the crack tip opening displacement will increase. On the contrary, if the crack is embedded in a softer material, when the crack is close to the interface, the plastic zone size and the crack tip opening displacement will decrease.     

Analysis of shear transfer and gap opening in timber–concrete composite members with notched connections

In timber–concrete composite members with notched connections, the notches act as the shear connections between the timber and the concrete part, and have to carry the shear flow necessary for composite action. The shear transfer through the notches generates shear and tensile stresses in both parts of the composite member, which may lead to brittle failure and to an abrupt collapse of the structure. Although simplified design formulas already exist, some structural aspects are still not clear, and a reliable design model is missing. This paper summarizes current design approaches and presents analytical models to understand the shear-carrying mechanism, to estimate the shear stresses acting in the timber and concrete, and to predict failure. The analysis concentrates on three problems: the shearing-off failure of the timber close to the notch, the shear failure of the concrete, and the influence of the shear flow on the gap opening between the timber and concrete. Parts of the model calculations could be compared to experimental observations. The conclusions of this paper contribute to improving current design approaches.     

Hashin–Shtrikman bounds on the shear modulus of a nanocomposite with spherical inclusions and interface effects

The recently developed variational framework for polarization methods in nanocomposites is applied to the determination of a lower-bound on the shear modulus of a nanocomposite with monosized, spherical inclusions. This bound explicitly accounts for linear elastic effects in the matrix–inclusion interface. Even if the polarization fields involved in its derivation are much more intricate, this bound is closely related to the classical Hashin–Shtrikman bound, with which it coincides when surface stresses are disregarded. More strikingly, when surface stresses are not disregarded, it also coincides with previously established Mori–Tanaka estimates. This result provides firm ground for the practical use of these estimates, for example for design purposes.     

Structural characteristics of a gas–liquid flow in a microchannel with a T-shaped mixer

The results of experimental studies of the structural characteristics of a nitrogen–water mixture flow in a horizontal microchannel provided with a T-shaped mixer are presented. The experiments are performed in a channel with a rectangular cross section of 250 × 315 μm under the conditions of a dominating influence of capillary forces. Structural characteristics of the flow are determined using the two-beam laser scanning and high-speed video capture at a distance of 500 calibers from the inlet in a wide range of reduced gas- and liquid-flow rates. A new method for the identification of flow regimes is proposed based on the statistical treatment of the laser-scanning data, and a map of flow patterns is constructed.     

Three-dimensional simulation of the particle distribution in a downer using CFD–DEM and comparison with the results of ECT experiments

A three-dimensional numerical model of the down-flow fluidized bed (Downer) with a newly designed distributor was applied to investigate the particle distribution profiles using combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM). A realistic model of DEM, which calculates the contact force acting on the individual particles, is used to monitor the movement of individual particles in the bed. The contact force is calculated using the concepts of the spring, dash-pot, and friction slider. The flow field of gas is predicted by the Navier–Stokes equation. This CFD–DEM model provides information regarding the particle movement and distribution, the particle velocity, and the gas velocity in the bed under different air-particle mixture conditions. The results demonstrate that the air supply conditions directly influence the particle distribution uniformity. Furthermore, the numerical predictions for the axial and radial profiles of the particle distribution were found to agree well with the experimental results obtained by electrical capacitance tomography (ECT).     

Nonlinear buckling and postbuckling of imperfect piezoelectric S-FGM circular cylindrical shells with metal–ceramic–metal layers in thermal environment using Reddy's third-order shear deformation shell theory

Based on Reddy's third-order shear deformation shell theory, this paper studied the nonlinear buckling and postbuckling response of imperfect Sigmoid functionally graded circular cylindrical shells in a thermal environment with an outer surface-bonded piezoelectric actuator. Material properties are temperature dependent and graded in the thickness direction with two shell's outer surfaces rich of metal and ceramic in the middle (S-FGM). The shell is subjected to uniform external pressure, axial compressive, electrical loads and resting on elastic foundations. The obtained numerical results are validated by comparing with other results reported in the open literature.     

Numerical simulation of the B1 → B2 phase transformation in a potassium chloride sample when deformed in a gasket of a superhigh-pressure apparatus with diamond anvils

The phase transformation process in a sample of polycrystalline potassium chloride KCl when deformed under quasihydrostatic conditions in diamond anvils of a superhigh-pressure apparatus has been numerically simulated. The stages of the transformation process have been studied and the process regularities found. The phase transformation in the volume of a finite element has been shown to result in an essential redistribution of the fields of plastic and volumetric strains as well as in a decrease of the pressure in the sample, force applied to anvils and, hence, a decrease of the motive force of the transformation. During the transformation several nuclei of the new phase form in a sample, which is caused by the plastic relaxation of stresses in the B1 elastoplastically deforming phase of KCl, i.e. the formation of a new nucleus becomes more preferable than the development of the old one.     

Free vibration analysis of functionally graded plates resting on Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundations using a new shear deformation theory

Free vibration analysis of simply supported functionally graded plates (FGP) resting on a Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundation are examined by a new higher shear deformation theory in this paper. Present theory exactly satisfies stress boundary conditions on the top and the bottom of the plate. The material properties change continuously through the thickness of the plate, which can vary according to power law, exponentially or any other formulations in this direction. The equation of motion for FG rectangular plates resting on elastic foundation is obtained through Hamilton’s principle. The closed form solutions are obtained by using Navier technique, and then fundamental frequencies are found by solving the results of eigenvalue problems. The numerical results obtained through the present analysis for free vibration of functionally graded plates on elastic foundation are presented, and compared with the ones available in the literature.     

Preparation of w–cu nano-composite powders with high copper content using a chemical co-deposition technique

A novel chemical co-precipitation was used to produce W-70%Cu nanocomposite powders with coating structure. The precursors consisting of CuC₂O₄·xH₂O and WO₃·2H₂O were first synthesized using copper nitrate, ammonium metatungstate(AMT) and oxalic acid as the raw materials at 80?°C for 1.5?h when the concentrations of the reactants were 0.8?mol/L and the hydrogen ion concentration was 1.2?mol/L. The precursors were calcined to produce the powders with different phase components and microstructure at various temperatures. The CuWO₄ and CuO nano-powders were obtained at 300?°C, which is colder than the traditional reaction temperature (1000?°C) of CuO?+?WO₃ = CuWO₄. However, the cubic Cu₂O and Cu₂WO₄ could be formed when the calcining temperature was 600?°C. The hydrogen reduction results show that the calcined powder is reduced to obtain W-Cu composite powder at 750?°C and 800?°C. In reduction process, volatile WO₂(OH)₂ through chemical vapor transport(CVT) continuously spreads to the copper surface and is reduced to form W and the coated particle is eventually formed. This particle is Cu particle coated by W phase and the interface between W and Cu phases is semi-coherent. It is found that the average particle size of the reduced powder is 30–50?nm observed by TEM images.     

Decrease of Cl contents in waste plastics using a gas–solid fluidized bed separator

In order to decrease Cl content in waste plastics, dry density float-sink separation of Cl-contained and Cl-free plastics was explored using a semi-continuous rotating-type gas–solid fluidized bed separator with silica sand. The separator has two distinctive features: (1) the plastics can be fed at a middle height of the sand bed, and (2) when the plastics are recovered with the sand from a container after the float-sink, the recovery height of the sand bed can be changed to designate the plastics as floaters or sinkers. The waste plastics of Cl content = 5.4 wt% were used in this study. The separation was investigated by changing the experimental conditions. As a result, the float-sink of the plastics was affected by the air velocity for fluidization, the float-sink time and the feed amount of plastics. The possible causes of the effects were discussed by focusing on the apparent density of fluidized bed, the fluidization intensity, the size segregation of fluidized particle, the shape of the plastics, and the interactions between the plastics during the float-sink. When the recovery height was changed at the adjusted conditions, the Cl content in the floaters was successfully decreased to be 0.4–0.85 wt%, at which the recovery of the Cl-free plastics was 40–60%.     

Effect of a magnetic field on natural convection in an inclined half-annulus enclosure filled with Cu–water nanofluid using CVFEM

In this paper, the effect of a magnetic field on natural convection in a half-annulus enclosure with one wall under constant heat flux using control volume based finite element method. The fluid in the enclosure is a water-based nanofluid containing Cu nanoparticles. The effective thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluid are calculated using the Maxwell–Garnetts (MG) and Brinkman models, respectively. Numerical simulations were performed for different governing parameters namely the Hartmann number, Rayleigh number and inclination angle of enclosure. The results indicate that Hartmann number and the inclination angle of the enclosure can be control parameters at different Rayleigh number. In presence of magnetic field velocity field retarded and hence convection and Nusselt number decreases.     

Dry separation of particulate iron ore using density-segregation in a gas–solid fluidized bed

A gas–solid fluidized bed has been used to separate particulate iron ore (+250–500 μm in size) by segregating the particles by density. The ore particles were put into a cylindrical column of inner diameter of 100 mm and bed height of 50 mm, and were fluidized at a given air velocity u₀/u_mf = 1.2–3.2 for 10 min. u₀ and u_mf are the superficial air velocity and the minimum fluidization air velocity, respectively. The bulk density of the ore particles after fluidization was measured as a function of height through the bed in 5 mm increments (the 50 mm height was divided into 10 layers) to investigate the density-segregation. The size of the particles in each of the 10 layers was also measured to investigate size-segregation. It was found that both density-segregation and size-segregation occurred as a function of height through the bed after fluidization at u₀/u_mf = 2.0. However, the segregation did not occur near the bottom of the bed for lower u₀/u_mf and did not occur near the top of the bed for larger u₀/u_mf. The origin of the segregation-dependence on the air velocity was discussed considering the air bubbles size and the fluidizing intensity at upper and lower sections of the bed. The Fe content of the 10 layers at u₀/u_mf = 2.0 was measured to calculate the Fe-grade and Fe-recovery. The ore-recovery was also calculated using the weight of ore particles as a function of height through the bed. The feed Fe-grade (before separation) was 52.1 wt%. If the ore particles in the bottom half of the bed were regarded as the product, the Fe-grade was 59.0 wt%, and the Fe-recovery and the ore-recovery were 68.5 wt% and 60.5 wt%, respectively.