Time to Approach Similarity

Author(s):  
Joseph J Webber ◽  
Herbert E Huppert

Summary In a recent article, Ball and Huppert (J. Fluid Mech., 874, 2019) introduced a novel method for ascertaining the characteristic timescale over which the similarity solution to a given time-dependent nonlinear differential equation converges to the actual solution, obtained by numerical integration, starting from given initial conditions. In this article, we apply this method to a range of different partial differential equations describing propagating gravity currents of fixed volume as well as modifying the techniques to apply to situations for which convergence to the numerical solution is oscillatory, as appropriate for gravity currents propagating at large Reynolds numbers. We investigate properties of convergence in all of these cases, including how different initial geometries affect the rate at which the two solutions agree. It is noted that geometries where the flow is no longer unidirectional take longer to converge. A method of time-shifting the similarity solution is introduced to improve the accuracy of the approximation given by the similarity solution, and also provide an upper bound on the percentage disagreement over all time.

Complexity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Kin M. Li ◽  
Mihir Sen ◽  
Arturo Pacheco-Vega

In this paper, we present a system identification (SI) procedure that enables building linear time-dependent fractional-order differential equation (FDE) models able to accurately describe time-dependent behavior of complex systems. The parameters in the models are the order of the equation, the coefficients in it, and, when necessary, the initial conditions. The Caputo definition of the fractional derivative, and the Mittag-Leffler function, is used to obtain the corresponding solutions. Since the set of parameters for the model and its initial conditions are nonunique, and there are small but significant differences in the predictions from the possible models thus obtained, the SI operation is carried out via global regression of an error-cost function by a simulated annealing optimization algorithm. The SI approach is assessed by considering previously published experimental data from a shell-and-tube heat exchanger and a recently constructed multiroom building test bed. The results show that the proposed model is reliable within the interpolation domain but cannot be used with confidence for predictions outside this region. However, the proposed system identification methodology is robust and can be used to derive accurate and compact models from experimental data. In addition, given a functional form of a fractional-order differential equation model, as new data become available, the SI technique can be used to expand the region of reliability of the resulting model.


2019 ◽  
Vol 874 ◽  
pp. 285-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomasina V. Ball ◽  
Herbert E. Huppert

A wide range of initial-value problems in fluid mechanics in particular, and in the physical sciences in general, are described by nonlinear partial differential equations. Recourse must often be made to numerical solutions, but a powerful, well-established technique is to solve the problem in terms of similarity variables. A disadvantage of the similarity solution is that it is almost always independent of any specific initial conditions, with the solution to the full differential equation approaching the similarity solution for times $t\gg t_{\ast }$, for some $t_{\ast }$. But what is $t_{\ast }$? In this paper we consider the situation of viscous gravity currents and obtain useful formulae for the time of approach, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}(p)$, for a number of different initial shapes, where $p$ is the percentage disagreement between the radius of the current as determined by the full numerical solution of the governing partial differential equation and the similarity solution normalised by the similarity solution. We show that for any initial shape of volume $V,\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}\propto 1/(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}V^{1/3}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{0}^{8/3}p)$ (as $p\downarrow 0$), where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}=g\unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}/(3\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$, with $g$ representing the acceleration due to gravity, $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}$ the density difference between the gravity current and the ambient, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ the dynamic viscosity of the fluid that makes up the gravity current and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{0}$ the initial aspect ratio. This framework can used in many other situations, including where it is not an initial condition (in time) that is studied but one valid for specified values at a special spatial coordinate.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawei Cheng ◽  
Wenke Wang ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Zaiyong Zhang

For one-dimensional (1D) nonlinear consolidation, the governing partial differential equation is nonlinear. This paper develops the finite analytic method (FAM) to simulate 1D nonlinear consolidation under different time-dependent loading and initial conditions. To achieve this, the assumption of constant initial effective stress is not considered and the governing partial differential equation is transformed into the diffusion equation. Then, the finite analytic implicit scheme is established. The convergence and stability of finite analytic numerical scheme are proven by a rigorous mathematical analysis. In addition, the paper obtains three corrected semianalytical solutions undergoing suddenly imposed constant loading, single ramp loading, and trapezoidal cyclic loading, respectively. Comparisons of the results of FAM with the three semianalytical solutions and the result of FDM, respectively, show that the FAM can obtain stable and accurate numerical solutions and ensure the convergence of spatial discretization for 1D nonlinear consolidation.


1985 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Batchelor ◽  
R. J. Stening

A mechanism has been discussed before by Dragila and Hora where very short laser pulses in a homogeneous plasma can be absorbed without collisions by the action of time dependent nonlinear forces. The resulting absorption lengths are of interest for the study of femtosecond neodymium glass laser pulses or the sub-picosecond carbon dioxide laser pulses which are now available. A mathematically more rigorous treatment of this problem is presented where a nonlinear differential equation is derived for the general solution in the approximation of Klima and Petrzilka. The ordinary differential equation can be solved exactly. With reasonable initial conditions, the solutions are similar to those of Dragila and Hora and are evaluated numerically for cases of experimental interest.


Author(s):  
Genly Leon ◽  
Megandhren Govender ◽  
Paliathanasis Andronikos

We study the temporal equation of radiating stars by using three powerful methods for the analysis of nonlinear differential equations. Specifically, we investigate the global dynamics for the given master ordinary differential equation to understand the evolution of solutions for various initial conditions as also to investigate the existence of asymptotic solutions. Moreover, with the application of Lie’s theory, we can reduce the order of the master differential equation, while an exact similarity solution is determined. Finally, the master equation possesses the Painlev\’{e} property, which means that the analytic solution can be expressed in terms of a Laurent expansion.


Author(s):  
Basant K. Jha ◽  
Dauda Gambo

Abstract Background Navier-Stokes and continuity equations are utilized to simulate fully developed laminar Dean flow with an oscillating time-dependent pressure gradient. These equations are solved analytically with the appropriate boundary and initial conditions in terms of Laplace domain and inverted to time domain using a numerical inversion technique known as Riemann-Sum Approximation (RSA). The flow is assumed to be triggered by the applied circumferential pressure gradient (azimuthal pressure gradient) and the oscillating time-dependent pressure gradient. The influence of the various flow parameters on the flow formation are depicted graphically. Comparisons with previously established result has been made as a limit case when the frequency of the oscillation is taken as 0 (ω = 0). Results It was revealed that maintaining the frequency of oscillation, the velocity and skin frictions can be made increasing functions of time. An increasing frequency of the oscillating time-dependent pressure gradient and relatively a small amount of time is desirable for a decreasing velocity and skin frictions. The fluid vorticity decreases with further distance towards the outer cylinder as time passes. Conclusion Findings confirm that increasing the frequency of oscillation weakens the fluid velocity and the drag on both walls of the cylinders.


Stats ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-215
Author(s):  
David Trafimow ◽  
Tonghui Wang ◽  
Cong Wang

In a recent article, Trafimow suggested the usefulness of imagining an ideal universe where the only difference between original and replication experiments is the operation of randomness. This contrasts with replication in the real universe where systematicity, as well as randomness, creates differences between original and replication experiments. Although Trafimow showed (a) that the probability of replication in the ideal universe places an upper bound on the probability of replication in the real universe, and (b) how to calculate the probability of replication in the ideal universe, the conception is afflicted with an important practical problem. Too many participants are needed to render the approach palatable to most researchers. The present aim is to address this problem. Embracing skewness is an important part of the solution.


Crystals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anshul Sharma ◽  
Irvine Lian Hao Ong ◽  
Anupam Sengupta

Nematic and columnar phases of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) have been long studied for their fundamental and applied prospects in material science and medical diagnostics. LCLC phases represent different self-assembled states of disc-shaped molecules, held together by noncovalent interactions that lead to highly sensitive concentration and temperature dependent properties. Yet, microscale insights into confined LCLCs, specifically in the context of confinement geometry and surface properties, are lacking. Here, we report the emergence of time dependent textures in static disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) solutions, confined in PDMS-based microfluidic devices. We use a combination of soft lithography, surface characterization, and polarized optical imaging to generate and analyze the confinement-induced LCLC textures and demonstrate that over time, herringbone and spherulite textures emerge due to spontaneous nematic (N) to columnar M-phase transition, propagating from the LCLC-PDMS interface into the LCLC bulk. By varying the confinement geometry, anchoring conditions, and the initial DSCG concentration, we can systematically tune the temporal dynamics of the N- to M-phase transition and textural behavior of the confined LCLC. Overall, the time taken to change from nematic to the characteristic M-phase textures decreased as the confinement aspect ratio (width/depth) increased. For a given aspect ratio, the transition to the M-phase was generally faster in degenerate planar confinements, relative to the transition in homeotropic confinements. Since the static molecular states register the initial conditions for LC flows, the time dependent textures reported here suggest that the surface and confinement effects—even under static conditions—could be central in understanding the flow behavior of LCLCs and the associated transport properties of this versatile material.


2017 ◽  
Vol 813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita A. Dey ◽  
Yahya Modarres-Sadeghi ◽  
Jonathan P. Rothstein

It is well known that when a flexible or flexibly mounted structure is placed perpendicular to the flow of a Newtonian fluid, it can oscillate due to the shedding of separated vortices. Here, we show for the first time that fluid–structure interactions can also be observed when the fluid is viscoelastic. For viscoelastic fluids, a flexible structure can become unstable in the absence of fluid inertia, at infinitesimal Reynolds numbers, due to the onset of a purely elastic flow instability. Nonlinear periodic oscillations of the flexible structure are observed and found to be coupled to the time-dependent growth and decay of viscoelastic stresses in the wake of the structure.


1998 ◽  
Vol 358 ◽  
pp. 357-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. NAGATA

The stability of nonlinear tertiary solutions in rotating plane Couette flow is examined numerically. It is found that the tertiary flows, which bifurcate from two-dimensional streamwise vortex flows, are stable within a certain range of the rotation rate when the Reynolds number is relatively small. The stability boundary is determined by perturbations which are subharmonic in the streamwise direction. As the Reynolds number is increased, the rotation range for the stable tertiary motions is destroyed gradually by oscillatory instabilities. We expect that the tertiary flow is overtaken by time-dependent motions for large Reynolds numbers. The results are compared with the recent experimental observation by Tillmark & Alfredsson (1996).


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