[pt] Escoamentos espiralados incidentes em superfícies são escoamentos altamente complexos, envolvendo uma variedade grande de regimes. A previsão numérica deste tipo de escoamento pode auxiliar na compreensão dos diversos fenômenos envolvidos, o que poderá permitir o desenvolvimento de processos mais eficientes, assim como auxiliar na avaliação de modelos de turbulência. Visando avaliar o desempenho de diferentes modelos de turbulência para a previsão de um jato axi-simétrico espiralado incidindo em uma placa quente, determinou-se numericamente o escoamento com o auxílio da ferramenta computacional FLUENT, utilizando duas metodologias. A primeira baseada na média de Reynolds (RANS) e a segunda na simulação de grandes escalas (LES). Diversos modelos RANS de duas equações diferenciais foram testados, visando identificar a validade de aplicação de cada um deles através da comparação com dados experimentais disponíveis. A metodologia LES foi avaliada utilizando o modelo dinâmico de sub-malha de Smagorinsky. Apesar do alto custo, devido à necessidade de utilizar grande espaço de memória e tempo de simulação, os resultados obtidos com a metodologia LES foram significativamente superiores, uma vez que o escoamento apresenta alta anisotropia, a qual os modelos RANS apresentam dificuldade em prever. / [en] Incident swirling jets are complex flow, which involve a large variety of regimes. The numerical prediction of this type of flow can help understand the several phenomena present, which could allow development of more efficient processes, as well as assist in the evaluation of turbulence models. Aiming to evaluate the performance of different turbulence models in the predict of an axi-symmetric swirling jet impinging to a hot plate, the flow field was determined with the computational tool FLUENT, by employing two methodologies. The first one is based on the Reynolds average (RANS) and the second one is based on the Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Several two differential equations RANS models were tested, in order to identify their range of validity, by comparing with available experimental data. The methodology LES was evaluated with the dynamic Smagorinsky sub-grid model. In spite of the high cost, due to the need of utilizing a large memory space and simulation time, the results obtained with the LES methodology were significantly superior, due to the high anisotropy of the flow, which the RANS models have difficult to predict.

Cavitating flow through five perforated plates with different number of holes with preserved constant flow cross-section area in sum were experimentally examined. Dynamic characteristics such as dependence of pressure amplitudes and dominant frequencies on cavitation number in all regimes of cavitating flow: incipient cavitation, partial cavitation, fully developed cavitation and supercavitation are obtained. For determination of dominant frequencies several pressure transducers in two regimes of measurement were used. Results were validated with frequency spectra obtained from picture analysis based on high-speed camera records.

Slender structures like plates and shells -- for which at least one dimension is much smaller than the others -- are lightweight, flexible, and offer considerable strength with little material. As such, these structures are abundant in nature (e.g. flower petals, eggshells, and blood vessels) and design (e.g. bridge decks, fuel tanks, and soda cans). However, with slenderness comes suceptibility to large and often sudden deformations, which can be wildly nonlinear, as bending is energetically preferable to stretching. Though once considered categorically undesirable, these instabilities are often coveted nowadays in the engineering community. They provide mechanical explanations for observations in nature like the wrinkled structure of the brain or the snapping mechanism of the Venus fly trap, and when precisely controlled, enable the design of functional devices like artificial muscles or self-propelling microswimmers. As a prerequisite, these achievements require a thorough understanding of how thin structures "shape-shift" in response to stimuli and confinement. Advancing this fundamental knowledge is the goal of this thesis. In the first two chapters, we consider the shape-selection of shells and plates that are confined by their environment. The shells are made by residual swelling of silicone elastomers, a process that mimics differential growth, and causes initially flat structures to irreversibly morph into curved shapes. Flattening the central region forces further reconfiguration, and the confined shells display multi-lobed buckling patterns. These experiments, finite element (FE) simulations, and a scaling argument reveal that a single geometric confinement parameter predicts the general features of this shape-selection. Next, in experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we constrain intrinsically flat sheets in the same manner, so that their center remains flat when we quasi-statically force them through a ring. In the absence of planar confinement, these sheets form a well-studied conical shape (the developable cone or d-cone). Our annular d-cone buckles circumferentially into patterns that are qualitatively similar to the confined shells, despite the distinct curvatures and loading methods. This is explained by the dominant role of confinement geometry in directing deformation, which we uncover via a scaling argument based on the elastic energy. There are also marked differences between the way plates and shells change shape, which we highlight when we investigate the rich dynamics of reconfiguration. In the final two chapters, we demonstrate how mechanics, geometry, and materials can inform the design of structures that use instabilities to function. We observe in experiments that dynamic loading causes a spherical elastomer shell to buckle at ostensibly subcritical pressures, following a substantial time delay. To explain this, we show that viscoelastic creep deformation lowers the critical load in the same predictable, quantifiable way that a growing defect would in an elastic shell. This work offers a pathway to introduce tunable, time-controlled actuation to existing mechanical actuators, e.g. pneumatic grippers. The final chapter aims at reducing the energy input required for bistable actuators, wherein snap-through instability is typically induced by a stimulus applied to the entire shell. To do so, we combine theory with 1D finite element simulations of spherical caps with a non-homogeneous distribution of stimuli--responsive material. We demonstrate that restricting the active area to the shell boundary allows for a large reduction in its size, while preserving snap-through behavior. These results are stimulus-agnostic, which we demonstrate with two sets of experiments, using residual swelling of bilayer silicone elastomers as well as a magneto-active elastomer. Our findings elucidate the underlying mechanics, offering an intuitive route to optimal design for efficient snap-through. / 2022-05-06T00:00:00Z

In this thesis computational models for cavitating flows around orifice plates has been studied and compared. The goal was to fit a model with experimental data and this was done with some success, although problems with numerical stability, long calculation times and geometry overfitting remain. Cavitation is a complex fluid phenomenon that can occur in pressurized liquid flows. It starts when the liquid pressure is lowered below the boiling pressure and water that undergoes cavitation forms vapor which later implodes violently. This process can cause problems such as noise, vibrations and corrosion in piping systems. Loud noise is a nuisance, however powerful vibrations and corrosion can have serious consequences for the structural integrity of pipes. The for example lessened performance, leakages or even failure. Therefore the minimization of cavitation is often a goal in orifice and piping design. Vattenfall AB, together with Forsmark and Ringhals nuclear plants have studied cavitating flows around orifice plates used for flow limitation. A set of data from laboratory tests made by Vattenfall was used as the basis of analysis. Existing computational models in OpenFOAM were tested and evaluated based on their ability to model the experimental data accurately, as well as their computational performance and stability. The cavitation phenomenon was difficult to simulate using established methods so a new method was created and verified. It is based on the Kunz cavitation model together with Large Eddy Simulations, but with turbulence as a predictor of cavitation. The new computational model will serve as a tool for knowing how to design orifices in the future, so that laboratory experiments will not have to be conducted for each new piping design.

Gusset plate connections are commonly used in steel truss bridges to connect individual members together at a node. Many of these bridges are classified as non-load-path-redundant bridges, meaning a failure of a single truss member or connection could lead to collapse. Current gusset plated design philosophy is based upon experimental work from simplified, small-scale connections which are seldom representative of bridge connections. This makes development of a refined methodology for conducting high-fidelity strength capacity evaluations for existing bridge connections a highly desirable goal. The primary goal of this research effort is to develop an analytical model capable of evaluating gusset plate stresses and ultimate strength limit states. A connection-level gusset connection model was developed in parallel with an experimental testing program at Oregon State University. Data was collected on elastic stress distributions and ultimate buckling capacity. The analytical model compared different bolt modeling techniques on their effectiveness in predicting buckling loads and stress distributions. Analytical tensile capacity was compared to the current bridge gusset plate design equations for block shear. Results from the elastic stress analysis showed no significant differences between the bolt modeling techniques examined, and moderate correlation between analytical and experimental values. Results from the analytical model predicted experimental buckling capacity within 10% for most of the bolt modeling techniques examined. Tensile capacity was within 7% of the calculated tensile nominal capacity for all bolt modeling techniques examined. A preliminary parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects of member flexural stiffness and length on gusset plate buckling capacity, and showed an increase in member length or decrease in member flexural stiffness resulted in diminished gusset plate buckling capacity.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfiment of the requirements for the degree of Master or Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 1993. / The stress concentration factors around rectangular holes in carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy plates, subject uniaxial loads, were investigated experimentally and theoretically. To obtain theoretical solutions, two approaches were adopted; the finite element method and the theory of elasticity using the method of complex variable functions. Reflective photoelasticity was used as the experimental method. The determination of the stress concentration factor around a rectangular hole in a glass-fibrereinforced plate was attempted using transmissive photoelasticity, but no meaningful results were obtained. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version} / MT2017

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The electrophysiological and morphological properties of small networks of mammalian neurons were investigated with mouse spinal cord monolayer cultures of 2 mm diameter grown on multimicroelectrode plates (MMEPs). Such cultures were viewed microscopically and their activity simultaneously recorded from 2 of any 36 fixed recording sites. The specific aims achieved were: development of techniques for production of functional MMEPs and maintenance of mini-cultures, characterization of the spontaneous activity of mini-cultures, application of inhibitory and disinhibitory agents, development of staining methods for cultured neurons and initial light microscopic analysis with correlation of electrophysiological and morphological characteristics.