Unstable Density-Driven Flow in Fractured Porous Media: The Fractured Elder Problem

The Elder problem is one of the well-known examples of an unstable density-driven flow (DDF) and solute transport in porous media. The goal of this research is to investigate the influence of fracture networks on this benchmark problem due to the great importance of the fractured heterogeneity effect on unstable DDF. For this aim, the fractured Elder problem is solved using COMSOL Multiphysics, which is a finite element method simulator. Uniform and orthogonal fracture networks are embedded to analyze free convective flow and development of unstable salt plumes. The results indicate that the mesh sensitivity of the fractured Elder problem is greater than the homogeneous case. Furthermore, it has been shown that in the fractured cases, the onset of instability and free convection occur with lower critical Rayleigh number, which means that fracture networks have a destabilizing effect. Also, we examined the structural properties of fracture networks that control convective flow patterns, and the simulation results show that the strength of convection and instability at the beginning of the intrusion is proportional to the aperture size of the fractures. Moreover, the increase of the fracture’s density leads different modes of transient convective modes, until a specific fracture density after which the transient convective modes become similar to the homogenous case.

Novel development of dynamic behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polymer sandwich panels with stepwise graded adhesive layer

Purpose The purpose of this study is to focus on the developments of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) panels with stepwise graded properties on adhesive layer. The various arranges of the graded properties of the adhesive layer have been checked according to experimental results of the literatures and based on applicability. Design/methodology/approach The finite element (FE) models and experimental modal tests of the manufactured CFRP sandwich panel specimens have been investigated. The core thickness, core density and orientation of the fiber direction of the sandwich panel face – sheets have been parametrically checked based on modal behavior. Two fully free and fully clamped boundary conditions (BC) have been checked in stepwise graded adhesive zone (SGAZ) cases and first five non-zero natural frequencies (NF) have been compared. Dynamic response of the SGAZ includes modal analysis and transient dynamic loading have been performed numerically with ABAQUS 6.12 well-known FE code. Findings The first non-zero NF of SGAZ Case 4 was 11.69 per cent higher than homogenous Case 2 and 7.06 per cent lower than Case 1 in fully free boundary conditions. A total of 26.38 per cent is the greatest discrepancy between fist five non-zero NFs of all cases with two BCs (Case 1 vs Case 2 in fully clamped BC). Maximum structural damping behavior and minimum stress picks have been studied during transient dynamic loading analysis of CFRP panel with SGAZ. SGAZ Case 3 (middle adhesive with lower modulus) has increased the maximum structural damping while reducing the minimum out of plain tip displacements during transient dynamic loading by 111.26 per cent in comparison with homogenous Case 2. Also, Case 3 has reduced the Mises stress picks on the adhesive region by 605.68 per cent. Practical implications Making a stepwise graded adhesive region (without any added mass) has been shown that it is a novel and useful way to achieve a wide range of stiffness on CFRP panels. Originality/value Development of the sandwich panels with various stiffness and damping properties.

THE VALUATION OF THE BASKET CDS IN A PRIMARY-SUBSIDIARY MODEL

This paper considers the valuation problem of basket CDSs. Based on the construction of total hazard rates, the paper develops the work of Zheng and Jiang Zheng and Jiang (2009) from the homogenous case to the primary-subsidiary heterogenous case in the interacting intensity framework, and obtains the corresponding joint density of the default time. Moreover, the paper derives the valuation formulae for the basket CDSs with and without counterparty risk. Numerical results robustly show that, under certain conditions, using the analytical pricing formulae derived in this paper is more efficient than the Monte Carlo method for the basket CDS valuation.