0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

The free-surface impact of spheres is important to several applications in the military, industry and sports such as the water-entry of torpedoes, dip-coating procedures and slamming of boats. This two-part thesis attempts to explore this field by investigating cavity formation during the impact of spheres with deep liquid pools and cavitation in thin ultra-viscous films. Part I reports results from an experimental study on the formation of stable- streamlined and helical cavity wakes following the free-surface impact of heated Leidenfrost spheres. The Leidenfrost effect encapsulates the sphere by a vapor layer to prevent any physical contact with the surrounding liquid. This phenomenon is essential for the pacification of acoustic rippling along the cavity interface to result in a stable-streamlined cavity wake. Such a streamlined configuration experiences drag coefficients an order of magnitude lower than those acting on room temperature spheres. A striking observation is the formation of helical cavities which occur for impact Reynolds numbers Re0 ≳ 1.4 × 105 and are characterized by multiple interfacial ridges, stemming from and rotating synchronously about an evident contact line around the sphere equator. This helical configuration has 40-55% smaller overall force coefficients than those obtained in the formation of stable cavity wakes. Part II of this thesis investigates the inception of cavitation and resulting structures when a sphere collides with a solid surface covered with a layer of non-Newtonian liquid having kinematic viscosities of up to v0 = 20,000,000 cSt. The existence of shear-stress- induced cavitation during sphere approach towards the base wall (i.e. the pressurization stage) in ultra-viscous films is shown using a synchronized dual-view high-speed imaging system. In addition, cavitation by depressurization is noted for a new class of non-contact cases whereby the sphere rebounds without any prior contact with the solid wall. Horizontal shear rates calculated using particle image velocimtery (PIV) measurements reveal the apparent fluid viscosity to vary substantially as the sphere approaches and rebounds away from the base wall. A theoretical model based on the lubrication assumption is also solved for the squeeze flow in the regime identified for shear-induced cavity events to investigate the criterion for cavity inception in further detail.

by Prof. Elizabeth Sparks / Higgins Hall 300

The subantarctic Prince Edward Islands (PEIs, 47◦S-38◦E) are classified as isolated and hostile regions, in which the terrestrial and marine ecosystems are relatively simple and extremely sensitive to perturbations. The island’s location, between the Subantarctic Front (SAF) and the Polar Front (PF), bordering the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) provides an ideal natural laboratory for studying how organisms, ecological processes and ecosystems respond to a changing climate in the Southern Ocean. Recent studies have proposed that climate changes reported at the islands may correspond in time to a southward shift of the ACC and in particular of the SAF. This southward migration in the geographic position of major ocean fronts is likely to coincide with dramatic changes in the distribution of species and total productivity of this region. However, there are other sources of variability in the hydrodynamic conditions around the PEIs: upstream of the islands, at the South West Indian Ridge (SWIR), a region of high eddy kinetic activity produces mesoscale features that directly irrigate the PEIs and may impact their marine environment. Based on satellite altimetry in that region, the positions of the SAF and PF were found to be highly variable at interannual and monthly time scales. They also revealed a significant long-term southward trend which was highlighted at the Southern Ocean scale. The mesoscale activity also showed an interannual and intra-annual variability and a decrease in eddy kinetic energy over 24 years was observed in the region. At a more local scale, we highlighted that the archipelago’s environment was impacted by the mesoscale features produced at the SWIR. The temperature, the mixed layer and velocities recorded between the islands were clearly affected by the eddies passing in the vicinity of the PEIs. Moreover, a large signal dominating the main current time series appeared to be a tidal signal, another important driver of variability of the circulation in between the two islands. On a second hand, an idealised model configuration was designed for the PEIs region to study the mesoscale eddy properties and the physical mechanisms of their formation at the ridge. The Eddy Available Potential Energy revealed a maximum of energy around 800 m depth, confirming the deep reaching characteristic of the eddy originated in the region and suggested the presence of a local energy source at this depth. This eddies activity was shown to be the result of a combination of barotropic and baroclinic instabilities occurring at the ridge. Finally, we investigated on the potential consequences of a southward shift of the SAF in the region of the islands. Because the model was idealised, it allowed us to simulate an SAF southward shift by shifting the initial and boundary conditions. The main result was the clear decrease of mesoscale activity in the region which could potentially impact the ecosystems of the PEIs.

Summary in English. / The purpose of this report is to present an impact assessment of two possible access routes to the Mohale Dam in Lesotho, namely the Western Access Road and the Least Cost Alternative Route. It is an academic work to demonstrate an adequate grasp of principles, methods and techniques appropriate to the assessment, termed LHDA 1000. The water resources of Lesotho are being exploited to augment the current supply to the PWV industrial area of the Republic of South Africa, in terms of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. This project is being implemented in phases. Phase lA, currently being constructed, involves the damming of the Malibamatso River at Katse in the Maluti Mountains (Figure1), a transfer tunnel through the mountains, a hydroelectric power station at 'Muela in Lesotho, and a delivery tunnel under the Caledon River to the Ash River (a tributary of the Vaal River which feeds the primary PW impoundment, the Vaal Dam) in the South Africa.

This thesis presents results from an experimental study of the impact of dense solid spheres onto granular beds. The overall aim is to further our understanding of the dynamical response of granular materials to impact. In order to do this, we will study both the initial penetration stages and peak acceleration exerted on the sphere by using high-speed imaging. Another critical part is to measure the penetration depth of the sphere and calculate the corresponding depth-averaged stopping force. Both of these main focal points will be assessed for not only dry, but wet and “contaminated” grains, whereby the granular bed will be comprised of two distinct size ranges of base grains. In doing so, we aim to broadly determine whether contaminated grains or wet grains are more effective at increasing the tensile strength of granular materials.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.