Internal waves are believed to be of primary importance as they affect ocean mixing and energy transport. Several processes can lead to the breaking of internal waves and they usually involve nonlinear interactions between waves. In this work, we study experimentally the parametric subharmonic instability (PSI), which provides an efficient mechanism to transfer energy from large to smaller scales. It corresponds to the destabilization of a primary plane wave and the spontaneous emission of two secondary waves, of lower frequencies and different wave vectors. Using a time-frequency analysis, we observe the time evolution of the secondary waves, thus measuring the growth rate of the instability. In addition, a Hilbert transform method allows the measurement of the different wave vectors. We compare these measurements with theoretical predictions, and study the dependence of the instability with primary wave frequency and amplitude, revealing a possible effect of the confinement due to the finite size of the beam, on the selection of the unstable mode.

This study revisits the problem of a steadily propagating semi-infinite hydraulic fracture in which the processes of toughness-related energy release, viscous dissipation and leak-off compete on multiple length scales. This problem typically requires the solution of a system of integro-differential equations with a singular kernel, which is complicated by the need to capture extremely disparate length scales. In this study the governing equations are rewritten in the form of one non-singular integral equation. This reformulation enables the use of standard numerical techniques to capture the complete multiscale behaviour accurately and efficiently. This formulation also makes it possible to approximate the problem by a separable ordinary differential equation, whose closed-form solution captures the multiscale behaviour sufficiently accurately to be used in practical applications. We also consider a similar reformulation of the equations governing the propagation of a buoyancy-driven semi-infinite hydraulic fracture. The resulting numerical solution is able to capture the near-tip multiscale behaviour efficiently and agrees well with published solutions calculated in the large-toughness limit.

The large- and small-scale vortical motions produced by ‘delta tabs’ in a two-stream shear layer have been studied experimentally. An increase in mixing was observed when the base of the triangular shaped tab was affixed to the trailing edge of the splitter plate and the apex was pitched at some angle with respect to the flow axis. Such an arrangement produced a pair of counter-rotating streamwise vortices. Hot-wire measurements detailed the velocity, time-averaged vorticity (Ωx) and small-scale turbulence features in the three-dimensional space downstream of the tabs. The small-scale structures, whose scale corresponds to that of the peak in the dissipation spectrum, were identified and counted using the peak-valley-counting technique. The optimal pitch angle, θ, for a single tab and the optimal spanwise spacing, S, for a multiple tab array were identified. Since the goal was to increase mixing, the optimal tab configuration was determined from two properties of the flow field: (i) the large-scale motions with the maximum Ωx, and (ii) the largest number of small-scale motions in a given time period. The peak streamwise vorticity magnitude [mid ]Ωx−max[mid ] was found to have a unique relationship with the tab pitch angle. Furthermore, for all cases examined, the overall small-scale population was found to correlate directly with [mid ]Ωx−max[mid ]. Both quantities peaked at θ≈±45°. It is interesting to note that the peak magnitude of the corresponding circulation in the cross-sectional plane occurred for θ≈±90°. For an array of tabs, the two quantities also depended on the tab spacing. An array of contiguous tabs acted as a solid deflector producing the weakest streamwise vortices and the least small-scale population. For the measurement range covered, the optimal spacing was found to be S≈1.5 tab widths.

The hydrodynamics of a highly deformable fish pectoral fin used by a bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) during steady forward swimming are examined in detail. Low-dimensional models of the fin gait based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) are developed, and these are subjected to analysis using an incompressible Navier–Stokes flow solver. The approach adopted here is primarily motivated by the quest to develop insights into the fin function and associated hydrodynamics, which are specifically useful for the design of a biomimetic, pectoral fin propulsor. The POD analysis shows that the complex kinematics of the pectoral fin can be described by a few (<5) POD modes and that the first three POD modes are highly distinct. The significance of these modes for thrust production is examined by synthesizing a sequence of fin gaits from these modes and simulating the flow associated with these gaits. We also conduct a scale study of the pectoral fin in order to understand the effect of the two key non-dimensional parameters, Reynolds number and Strouhal number, on the propulsive performance. The implications of the POD analysis and performance scaling on the design of a robotic pectoral fin are discussed.

The deformation of a viscous liquid droplet suspended in another liquid and subject to an applied electric field is a classic multiphase flow problem best described by the Melcher–Taylor leaky dielectric model. The main assumption of the model is that any net charge in the system is concentrated on the interface between the two liquids as a result of the jump in Ohmic currents from the bulk. Upon application of the field, the drop can either attain a steady prolate or oblate shape with toroidal circulating flows both inside and outside arising from tangential stresses on the interface due to action of the field on the surface charge distribution. Since the pioneering work of Taylor (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 291, 1966, pp. 159–166), there have been numerous computational and theoretical studies to predict the deformations measured in experiments. Most existing theoretical models, however, have either neglected transient charge relaxation or nonlinear charge convection by the interfacial flow. In this work, we develop a novel small-deformation theory accurate to second order in electric capillary number $O(Ca_{E}^{2})$ for the complete Melcher–Taylor model that includes transient charge relaxation, charge convection by the flow, as well as transient shape deformation. The main result of the paper is the derivation of coupled evolution equations for the induced electric multipoles and for the shape functions describing the deformations on the basis of spherical harmonics. Our results, which are consistent with previous models in the appropriate limits, show excellent agreement with fully nonlinear numerical simulations based on an axisymmetric boundary element formulation and with existing experimental data in the small-deformation regime.

In order to determine the heat transfer inside a TIG (tungsten/inert gas) weld pool, it is necessary to have a good understanding of the flow patterns of the liquid metal. The principal force driving the fluid motion is the electromagnetic j × B force due to the current from the welding arc and its self-magnetic field. In this paper we consider the flow of a viscous incompressible conducting fluid in a hemispherical container due to various distributions of the electric current. The problem is posed as a time-dependent problem and is solved numerically using the Du Fort–Frankel leap-frog method. Results are presented for currents of 100 A flowing through the weld pool. This is a typical current for TIG welding, and corresponds to a Reynolds number in the range 200 < Re < 600. Previous solutions of the problem were restricted to low Reynolds numbers, i.e. low currents.

The two-dimensional steady flow of an incompressible viscous liquid round a circular cylinder is described in terms of matched expansions valid asymptotically at low Reynolds number, the velocity field at large distances being a combination of a uniform simple shear and a uniform stream, relative to axes moving with the centre of the cylinder (but not rotating with it).

An infinite number of terms are computed and summed. There is a transverse force on the cylinder, independent of its rate of rotation to the approximation considered here. At moderate and large distances the balance between convection and diffusion of vorticity is dominated by the shear, being quite different from that in a uniform stream alone.

The rate of longitudinal diffusion of a substance released from an instantaneous line source in a simple shear alone is enhanced. Round a maintained line source for which the local convection velocity is parallel to that of the shear the concentration falls only algebraically with distance in all directions, though it is largest in twin wakes extending directly both upstream and downstream. If there is superposed a lateral convection, however small, at sufficiently large distances the concentration is exponentially small outside a wake centred on half a parabola.

The two-dimensional perturbation velocity round any obstacle held in an unbounded simple shear at any Reynolds number is, at a sufficient distance, an irrotational cross flow decreasing as the inverse two-thirds power, associated with twin shear layers extending upstream and downstream. If there is a uniform lateral motion at large distances this conclusion is completely altered.

Detailed observations of the air flow velocity, pressure and Reynolds stresses above water waves in a wave flume are presented. The static pressure fluctuations induced by the waves are observed following a new procedure that eliminates acoustical contamination by the wave maker. The measurements are analysed by comparing them with numerical simulations of the air flow over waves. In these numerical simulations the sensitivity to the choice of turbulence closure is studied. We considered both first-order turbulence closure schemes based on the eddy viscosity concept, and a second-order Reynolds stress model. The comparison shows that turbulence closure schemes based on the eddy viscosity concept overestimate the modulation of the Reynolds stress in a significant part of the vertical domain. When an eddy viscosity closure is used, the overestimated modulation of the Reynolds stress gives a significant contribution to the wave growth rate. Our results confirm the conclusions Belcher & Hunt reached on the basis of the rapid distortion theory.

The ratio of the wind speed to the phase speed of the paddle wave in the experiment varies between 3 and 6. The observed amplitudes of the velocity and pressure perturbation are in excellent agreement with the simulations. Comparison of the observed phases of the pressure and velocity perturbations shows that the numerical model underpredicts the downwind phase shift of the undulating flow.

The sheltering coefficients for the flow over hills and the growth rates of waves that are slow compared to the wind calculated with the Reynolds stress model are in excellent agreement with the analytical model of Belcher & Hunt. Extending the calculations to fast waves, we find that the energy flux to waves travelling almost as fast as the wind is increased on going from the mixing length turbulence closure to the Reynolds stress model.

We examine the onset of turbulence in Waleffe flow – the planar shear flow between stress-free boundaries driven by a sinusoidal body force. By truncating the wall-normal representation to four modes, we are able to simulate system sizes an order of magnitude larger than any previously simulated, and thereby to attack the question of universality for a planar shear flow. We demonstrate that the equilibrium turbulence fraction increases continuously from zero above a critical Reynolds number and that statistics of the turbulent structures exhibit the power-law scalings of the (2 + 1)-D directed-percolation universality class.

A nonlinear computational investigation of thermal convection due to heating from below in a porous layer underlying a fluid layer has been carried out. The motion of the fluid in the porous layer is governed by Darcy's equation with the Brinkman terms for viscous effects and the Forchheimer term for inertial effects included. The motion in the fluid layer is governed by the Navier-Stokes equation. The flow is assumed to be two-dimensional and periodic in the horizontal direction, with a wavelength equal to the critical value at onset as predicted by the linear stability theory. The numerical scheme used is a combined Galerkin and finite-difference method, and appropriate boundary conditions are applied at the interface. Results have been obtained for depth ratios $\hat{d}=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 $ and 1.0, where $\hat{d}$ is the ratio of the thickness of the fluid layer to that of the porous layer. For $\hat{d}=0.1 $, up to Rm (Rayleigh number of the porous layer) equal to 20 times the critical $R_{{\rm m}_{\rm e}} $, the convection is dominated by the porous layer, similar to the situation at onset, even though the Rayleigh number for the fluid layer is well into the supercritical regime. The Nusselt number for $\hat{d}$ less than the critical value (0.13 in the present case) increases sharply with Rm, whereas at larger $\hat{d}$, the increase is very moderate. Heat transfer rates predicted by the numerical scheme for $\hat{d} = 0.1$ and 0.2 show good agreement with the experimental results of Chen & Chen (1989).

Field-amplified sample stacking (FASS) uses conductivity gradients and resulting non-uniform electromigration fluxes to effect concentration increases of analyte ions. For cases where the initial sample concentration is much smaller than the background electrolyte (BGE) concentration, the ideal maximum concentration enhancement is equal to $\gamma $, the ratio of conductivity of the sample solution to that of the BGE. However, in practice both molecular diffusion and convective dispersion limit concentration enhancement. We present a theoretical and experimental study of concentration enhancement using FASS. We model the FASS process as electromigration, diffusion, and advection of two background electrolyte ions and multiple sample species across a known initial concentration gradient. Regular perturbation methods and a generalized Taylor dispersion analysis are used to derive area-averaged species conservation and electric field equations. The model predicts the spatial and temporal development of background electrolyte concentration field, electric field, and sample-ion distribution of the FASS process. We have validated this model using on-chip FASS experiments. We use an acidified poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) coating to minimize dispersion due to electro-osmotic flow (EOF), and thereby evaluate the low- (but finite) dispersion regime of most interest. We have used CCD-based quantitative epifliuorescence imaging to quantify unsteady concentration fields and validate the model. This experimentally validated model is useful in developing optimal designs of sample stacking assay devices.

We examine the phenomenon of polymer drag reduction in a turbulent flow through Brownian dynamics simulations. The dynamics of a large number of single polymer chains along their trajectories is investigated in a Newtonian turbulent channel flow. In particular, the FENE, FENE-P and multimode FENE models with realistic parameters are used to investigate the mechanisms of polymer stretching. A topological methodology is applied to characterize the ability of the flow to stretch the polymers. It is found using conditional statistics that at moderate Weissenberg number Wi the polymers, that are stretched to a large fraction of their maximum extensibility, have experienced a strong biaxial extensional flow. When Wi is increased other flow types can stretch the polymers but the few highly extended molecules again have, on average, experienced a biaxial extensional flow. Moreover, highly extended polymers are found in the near-wall regions around the quasi-streamwise vortices, essentially in regions of strong biaxial extensional flow.

Dilute aqueous solutions of long alcohol chains were recently found to cause a quadratic dependence of surface tension on the temperature without affecting other bulk properties of the liquid: σ = σ0 + αQ(T − T0)2, αQ > 0. The impact of such Marangoni instability on the behaviour of a thin liquid layer is studied in this work. We derive an equation describing a nonlinear spatiotemporal evolution of a thin film. The behaviour of the perturbed film in the absence of gravity, critically depends on whether the temperature T0, yielding a minimal surface tension, is attained on the surface of the film. When this is the case, a qualitatively new behaviour is observed: perturbations of the film interface may evolve into continuous steady patterns that do not rupture. Otherwise, the observed patterns due to the linear and quadratic Marangoni effects are qualitatively similar and result in the rupture of the film into separate drops.

The properties of a fully three-dimensional surface gravity wave, the short-crested wave, are examined. Linearly, a short-crested wave is formed by two wavetrains of equal amplitudes and wavelengths propagating at an angle to each other. Resonant interactions between the fundamental and its harmonics are a major feature of short-crested waves and a major complication to the use at finite wave steepness of the derived perturbation expansion. Nonetheless, estimates are made of the maximum steepnesses, and wave properties are calculated over the range of steepnesses. Although results for values of the parameter θ near 20° remain uncertain, we find that short-crested waves can be up to 60% steeper than the two-dimensional progressive wave. At limits of the parameter range the results compare well with those for known two-dimensional progressive and standing water waves.

An algorithm has been developed which enables local Taylor-series-expansion solutions of the Navier-Stokes and continuity equations to be generated to arbitrary order. Much of the necessary algebra for generating these solutions can be done on a computer. Various properties of the algorithm are investigated and checked by making comparisons with known solutions of the equations of motion. A method of synthesizing nonlinear viscous-flow patterns with certain required properties is developed and applied to the construction of a number of two- and three-dimensional flow-separation patterns. These patterns are asymptotically exact solutions of the equations of motion close to the origin of the expansion. The region where the truncated series solution satisfies the full equations of motion to within a specified accuracy can be found.

The radial distribution of the volumetric vapour (or void) fraction in steady, fully developed turbulent two-phase flow is described for vertical low-quality bubbly flows in a circular pipe. The analysis is based on the phasic equations of conservation of momentum in the axial and radial directions. Mixing-length theory is used to model the turbulent stresses in the continuous phase. The predicted flow structure shows three distinct regions. The ‘outer’ region, that is, the region away from the wall and the centre-line, has a uniform void distribution. For upflow, a bubble layer is predicted near the wall, while for downflow, vapour coring is predicted, with a peak in void fraction at the centre-line. These predictions are in agreement with observed void profiles.

For the infinite-Prandtl-number limit of the Boussinesq equations, the enhancement of vertical heat transport in Rayleigh–Bénard convection, the Nusselt number $\hbox{\it Nu}$, is bounded above in terms of the Rayleigh number $\hbox{\it Ra}$ according to $\hbox{\it Nu}\,{\le}\,0.644 \,{\times}\hbox{\it Ra}^{{1}/{3}} [\log{\hbox{\it Ra}}]^{{1}/{3}}$ as $\hbox{\it Ra}\,{\rightarrow}\,\infty$. This result follows from the utilization of a novel logarithmic profile in the background method for producing bounds on bulk transport, together with new estimates for the bi-Laplacian in a weighted $L^{2}$ space. It is a quantitative improvement of the best currently available analytic result, and it comes within the logarithmic factor of the pure 1/3 scaling anticipated by both the classical marginally stable boundary layer argument and the most recent high-resolution numerical computations of the optimal bound on $\hbox{\it Nu}$ using the background method.

A theory is given to predict the shape and amplitude of a standing wave formed on a liquid film running down a vertical surface, and due to an upward flow of gas over the liquid surface. The wave is maintained in position by the pressure gradients induced within the gas stream by acceleration over the windward part of the wave; over the leeward part of the wave, the gas pressure is roughly constant due to breakaway of the gas flow.

The wave amplitude is found to be very sensitive to gas velocity so that the theory predicts a critical gas velocity beyond which the wave amplitude becomes very large; this critical velocity is confirmed by experiment, and the experiments confirm the predicted wave shape. The critical gas velocity also agrees reasonably well with published values of the flooding velocity in empty wetted-wall tubes; this velocity is defined as the point at which countercurrent flow of gas and liquid becomes unstable. The phenomenon of flooding, which has puzzled chemical engineers for many years, may thus be due to wave formation on the liquid film.

From the theory are derived three dimensionless groups, namely, Weber number $We \equiv \rho_g U_c^2t_0|T$, liquid-film Reynolds number $Re \equiv 4\rho_l Q|\mu, and Z \equiv T(\rho_l|\mu g)^{1/3}|\mu$. Here Uc is the critical gas velocity, Q is the liquid volume flow rate per unit wetted perimeter, ρg and ρl are the gas and liquid densities, μ is the liquid viscosity and T is its surface tension; $t_0 = (3\mu Q|\rho_lg)^{1/3}$ is the liquid film thickness in the absence of gas flow. We, Re and Z are uniquely related at the flooding point, and a diagram is presented to show this relation. This diagram will enable designers to predict flooding in wetted-wall tubes, though more experimental verification is required.

This paper uses asymptotic methods to analyse the flow in a narrow channel of a fluid with temperature-dependent viscosity and internal viscous dissipation. When the Nahme–Griffith number is large we show how the flow evolves from Poiseuille flow with a uniform temperature distribution to a plug flow with hot boundary layers on the walls. An asymptotic solution is obtained for the flow in the region of transition from Poiseuille to plug flow and an explicit equation is derived for the pressure gradient in terms of the local downstream co-ordinate in this transition region.