Hydrodynamic Forces Research Articles

Dynamic response analysis of a floating bridge structure under combined actions from seismic loading and waves at different incident angles

Abstract This paper investigates the complex coupled response of a cross-sea floating bridge under the combined actions of seismic loading and wave at different incident angles. The bridge structure is modeled using the finite element method, considering the interaction between the girder, pier, pontoon, and mooring chains. Wave forces are calculated based on potential theory, and an added mass approach is applied to simulate the hydrodynamic forces induced by the earthquake. Simulations were conducted using a one-year random wave at three different incident angles of 0o, 45o, and 90o, combined with three-dimensional seismic loading of varying magnitudes: 0.3 g, 0.5 g, and 1 g. The simulation results indicate that the direction of the incident wave significantly influences the bridge's response. The coupling effect between wave and seismic forces on the floating bridge's response is not simply additive. Generally, when the earthquake magnitude is low, the wave loading significantly impacts the bridge's dynamics. However, as the earthquake magnitude increases, the bridge's response becomes dominated by the seismic forces, rendering the influence of wave forces negligible.

Profiling Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Circulating Tumor Cells through Spatially Resolved Immunocapture on Nanoporous Micropillar Arrays.

The phenotype of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offers valuable insights into monitoring cancer metastasis and recurrence. While microfluidics presents a promising approach for capturing these rare cells in blood, the phenotypic profiling of CTCs remains technically challenging. Herein, we developed a nanoporous micropillar array chip enabling highly efficient capture and in situ phenotypic analysis of CTCs through enhanced and tunable on-chip immunoaffinity binding. The nanoporous micropillar array addresses the fundamental limits in fluidic mass transfer, surface stagnant flow boundary effect, and interface topographic and multivalent reactions simultaneously within a single device, resulting in a synergistic enhancement of CTC immunocapture efficiency. The CTC capture efficiency increased by approximately 40% for cancer cells with low surface marker expressing. By manipulating fluidic velocity (hydrodynamic drag force) on the chip, a cell adhesion gradient was generated in the capture chamber, enabling individual CTCs with varying expression levels of epithelial cellular adhesion molecules to be immunocaptured at the corresponding spatial locations where equilibrium drag force is provided. The clinical utility of the nanoporous micropillar array was demonstrated by accurately distinguishing early and advanced stages of breast cancer and further longitudinally monitoring treatment response. We envision that the nanoporous micropillar array chip will provide an in situ capture and molecular profiling approach for CTCs and enhance the clinical application of CTC liquid biopsy.

Experimental decomposition of nonlinear hydrodynamic loads and hydroelastic responses in wave–structure interactions of monopile wind turbines

This study explores the nonlinear effects of hydrodynamic loads and hydroelastic responses in monopile-supported offshore wind turbines, with a focus on their harmonic structures. High-quality experimental data were collected in a shallow water basin across various irregular waves. Their harmonic components up to the fourth order were successfully isolated using a novel four-phase decomposition technique, which effectively extracts harmonics from random time series. The results highlight significant contributions of higher-order harmonics across various sea states. Specifically, two physical models were employed: a flexible monopile to capture structural hydroelastic deformations during large wave events and a rigid monopile to accurately estimate hydrodynamic loads without hydroelastic effects. Additionally, numerical results from fully nonlinear potential-flow calculations were compared, revealing that while the potential-flow solver underestimates total wave loading, especially for higher harmonics. In terms of the free-surface elevations and hydrodynamic forces, this study confirms that their higher-order harmonics align well with the scaling of their corresponding linear components in both amplitude and phase. This enables the prediction of higher-order profiles based solely on their linear components. However, this efficient model is inadequate for accurately estimating the higher-order harmonics of monopile's hydroelastic responses during these extreme wave events, highlighting the need for further refinement.

Course control in a self-consistent model of cuttlefish movement

We developed a simulation model to mimic cuttlefish movement. We developed a simulation model to mimic cuttlefish movement, representing an elongated body with two undulatory fins that generate propulsive forces for underwater movement. Our mathematical model concurrently solved equations for both body mechanics and fluid dynamics, using the Navier–Stokes equations to describe the latter. To implement this self-consistent model, we utilized deformable mesh techniques. This enabled us to compute both the apparatus’s movement performance characteristics and hydrodynamic flow parameters, such as vorticity and pressure fields. Our study focused on examining how oscillations of the left and right fins, each with different parameters, impact the apparatus’s maneuverability. We found that differences in frequencies between the left and right fins resulted in a peak turning angle velocity. We also explored how the interplay between hydrodynamic forces influences the apparatus’s course control.

A two-dimensional numerical characterization on the droplet dynamics in the electric field by VOSET method

A coupled volume-of-fluid and level set (VOSET) model is extended to the simulation of electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) flow. The good accuracy of proposed model is validated by comparing with previous results. Although the electrostrictive force might be greater than the Coulomb and dielectric forces under certain conditions, it has no influence on droplet dynamic behaviors except the pressure distribution. The electro-coalescence of droplet pair is systematically investigated. In addition to the coalescence and repulsion, two droplets might neither coalesce nor repulse with the repulsive hydrodynamic force and attractive electric force strike a balance. The electro-coalescence of two droplets always happens as long as the electric conductivity ratio is smaller than the permittivity ratio. The critical permittivity ratio separating the coalescence and repulsion of droplets increases as the increase of electric conductivity ratio. The electro-coalescence time of two droplets decreases as the permittivity ratio and electric capillary number increase. Nevertheless, the electro-coalescence time shows different variation tendency as the increase of electric conductivity ratio with different permittivity ratios and electric capillary numbers.

Mass and momentum balance during particle migration in the pressure-driven flow of frictional non-Brownian suspensions

The transient shear-induced particle migration of frictional non-Brownian suspensions is studied using particle-resolved simulations. The numerical method – the fictitious domain method – is well suited to heterogeneous flows thanks to a frame-invariant formulation of the subgrid (lubrication) corrections that does not involve the ambient flow (Orsi et al., J. Comput. Phys., vol. 474, 2023, 111823). The paper aims to give an accurate quantitative picture of the mass and momentum balance during the flow. The various assumptions and local constitutive laws that together form the suspension balance model (SBM) are thoroughly examined. To this purpose, the various quantities of interest are locally averaged in space and time, and their profile across the channel is extensively studied, with specific attention to the time evolution of the different contributions, either hydrodynamic in nature or from contact interactions, to the shear and normal stresses. The latter, together with the velocity gradient in the wall-normal direction and the volume fraction profile, yield the local constitutive laws, which are compared with their counterpart obtained in homogeneous shear flow. A fair agreement is observed except in a layering area at the boundaries and at the very centre of the channel. In addition, the main assumption of the SBM, i.e. the local relation between the hydrodynamic force on the particles and the particle flux, is meticulously investigated. The hydrodynamic force is found to be mainly a drag, except in the lower range of the probed volume fractions, where a non-drag contribution is observed.

Influence of interface on nondeformable micropolar drop migration

Abstract In this article, an analytical approach is considered to study the issue of specifying Stokesian motion due to a micropolar sphere drop translating at a concentric instantaneous position within a spherical fluid-fluid interface that divides two immiscible fluids, one of which is bounded and the other is unbounded. Here, the focus is on the situation where there are two microstructure-related fluid phases (micropolar fluids) out of the three. The motion is considered to have low Reynolds numbers; thus, the drop's surface and fluid-fluid interface have insignificant deformation. For both the components of the microrotation and velocity, general solutions to the slow axisymmetric motion of the micropolar/viscous fluid in a spherical coordinate system are obtained based on a concentric position. Boundary conditions are fulfilled at the drop's surface and the fluid-fluid interface. Especially, the boundary condition for the microrotation-vorticity is utilised at the fluid-fluid interface; while the continuity of tangential couple stress and microrotation are also utilised at the drop's surface. Findings indicate that the normalised hydrodynamic force increases monotonically as the droplet-to-interface radius ratio increases, acting on a moving micropolar sphere droplet and becoming unlimited when the drop's surface touches the fluid-fluid interface. The numerical findings for the normalised force operating on the micropolar sphere droplet at different values of the suitable parameters are introduced in both graphical and tabular form. Our numerical findings are compared with the suitable data for the special cases stated in the literature. This current investigation is significant within the domains of industrial, biological, medicinal, and natural processes, for example, liquid-liquid extraction, raindrop formation, blood cells moving through a vein or artery, suspension rheology, sedimentation, and coagulation.

Enhancing Vibration Control in Smart Beams: A Comparative Study of Piezoelectric-Based Controllers Under Fluid-Induced Vibrations

Smart structures with integrated piezoelectric elements play a pivotal role in mitigating vibrations across diverse applications, by safeguarding against structural damage and performance degradation. This study delves into the active control of vibrations in beams, particularly in fluid-immersed environments where hydrodynamic forces induce complex beam oscillations. The dynamic behavior of geometrically nonlinear, simply supported beams integrated with piezoelectric elements was examined. The position of the piezoelectric patch was optimized through the GA algorithm to minimize the settling time. The optimal location for the piezoelectric patch was determined in the middle of the beam. The investigation encompasses harmonic excitation forces spanning frequencies from 10[Formula: see text]Hz to 200[Formula: see text]Hz. Our study evaluates the system’s response under two critical conditions: one with the presence of external hydrodynamic forces and the other without. To achieve effective vibration control, we employ both Proportional-Derivative (PD) and Sliding Mode Controllers (SMC), optimizing their parameters for minimum settling time as an objective function. The results underscore the remarkable superiority of the SMC, reducing settling times by an impressive 50% when compared to the PD controller. Additionally, the SMC demonstrates the ability to significantly reduce control efforts, as evidenced by actuator voltage. In the context of forced vibrations, the SMC maintains its superior performance, especially at lower frequencies. However, at higher frequencies, the emergence of chattering affects the SMC’s performance, although it remains more effective than the PD controller in low-frequency scenarios. This study sheds light on the effectiveness of piezoelectric-based control strategies for smart beams, offering valuable insights into their performance under various vibration conditions. These findings hold significant promise for practical applications where vibration control is critical.

Turbulence model adaptability at critical Reynolds numbers and applications in wake control via fairings

The water-drop shaped fairings with varying shape angles are attached to a circular cylinder to achieve wake control and vortex suppression at critical Reynolds numbers. To ensure the capability of Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS), detached eddy simulation (DES) and large eddy simulation (LES) models at the critical Reynolds number region, three representative turbulence models are employed: LES with σ subgrid-scale (SGS) model, delayed DES model with improved wall-modeling capability (IDDES) and shear stress transport (SST) k−ω RANS model. These models are utilized to simulate flow around a circular cylinder at Reynolds number Re=2.5×105. The solver used in this paper is further developed based on the high-resolution algorithm platform for incompressible flow (HRAPIF). The comparative analysis of the results from the three turbulence models has been rigorously validated and investigated. An exhaustive examination of the mean flow field, Reynolds stresses, characteristic lengths, and instantaneous flow fields among the models reveals instructive insights. The IDDES and σ-LES models predict the hydrodynamic forces, the so-called ‘drag crisis’, alongside the pressure distribution and skin friction coefficient with high precision. The σ-LES model stands out for its superior accuracy, while the IDDES model is also a viable alternative, offering commendable accuracy with a reduced demand for mesh density. Subsequently, the IDDES model is selected for wake control calculations using fairings with five distinct shape angles (30∘,45∘,60∘,75∘ and 90∘) at Re=2.5×105. In-depth comparisons to the bare cylinder and subcritical results reveal that the wake control effect varies at the critical Reynolds region. The fairing with a 30° shape angle substantially suppresses hydrodynamic forces. The lift coefficient experiences a remarkable decrease of approximately 96%, while the drag coefficient diminishes by about 90%. Concurrently, fairings with angles from 45° to 90° lead to reductions in drag coefficient of 11.6%, 10%, 3% and 4%, respectively. A 75% lowering in the lift force coefficient is found even with a short fairing with shape angle α=90∘, which may be a meaningful instruction to industrial design.

Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites

This work attempts to define metrics for hydrodynamic exposure, using known oceanographic variables to provide a universal site assessment method for mariculture structures. Understanding environmental conditions driving open-ocean mariculture siting is crucial in establishing consistent ocean governance, minimizing adverse environmental impacts, and facilitating economically sustainable farm operations. To provide a metric of oceanic conditions and associated requirements for structural design and operation of aquaculture systems, six Exposure Indices (EI) are proposed that consider physical energy levels related to hydrodynamic forces at a site. Four of the proposed indices consider only environmental conditions, while the other two also consider the dimensions of the gear that is exposed to the external loads. These indices are: Exposure Velocity (EV), Exposure Velocity at Reference Depth (EVRD), Specific Exposure Energy (SEE), Depth-integrated Energy Flux (DEF), Structure-centered Depth-integrated Energy (SDE), and a Structure-centered Drag-to-Buoyancy Ratio (SDBR). While these indices are derived with a focus on aquaculture structures, they may also have applications for estimating biological stressors and operational challenges. The proposed exposure indices were evaluated for a range of known aquaculture sites around the world. A sensitivity analysis was conducted that quantified the relationship between the exposure indices and storm event return period. At a regional scale, hindcast numerical data for the German Bight combined with calculations of 50-year extreme values were used to calculate and map each proposed index spatially. Resulting maps showed that exposure is not simply a function of distance from shore. The six indices show plausible performance regarding the objective assessment of aquaculture sites. The authors herein present the indices to the aquaculture and ocean engineering communities for discussion, application, and potential adoption of one or more of the proposed indices.

Chaotic behavior and multistability of a tree trunk structure driven by self-and parametric hydrodynamic forces

Abstract This study investigates the chaotic behavior of a tree trunk under dynamic
wind loads, focusing on control strategies and multistability. We consider time varying wind speeds and analyze a specific case where hydrodynamic drag forces align
with the flow velocity. The stability of the model’s equilibrium points is analyzed
theoretically and numerically. Melnikov’s method is employed to identify conditions
for homoclinic bifurcation. Numerical simulations employing basin of attraction
confirm the analytical predictions. Our findings show a decrease in the threshold
for chaos with increasing amplitudes of external excitation, damping coefficient,
and parametric damping. The global dynamics are explored numerically using a
fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. When solely subjected to external excitation, the
system exhibits period doubling bifurcations, multiperiodic oscillations, mixed-mode
oscillations, and chaos. Conversely, with self- and parametric drag forces, the system
displays reverse periodic bifurcations, periodic bubbling oscillations, antimonotonicity,
transient chaos, and chaos. Poincar´e maps analyze the geometric structure of chaotic
attractors, revealing a strong influence of dimensionless drag parameters. These
parameters can be manipulated to control or eliminate chaos. Furthermore, the system
exhibits multistability, with coexisting attractors. Beyond its application in protecting
infrastructure from wind damage, this research can contribute to ecological balance by
improving our understanding of tree wind resistance.

Oblique Wave Scattering by a Pair of Asymmetric Inverse Π-Shaped Breakwater

Abstract The topic of wave scattering by different breakwaters has unfolded over the past few decades, largely driven by the profound impacts of global climate change. In this study, a completely new type of breakwater, inverse Π-shaped breakwater, has been taken into account for serving both purposes from analytical as well as an application point of view. During the formulation, the actual physical problem is transferred into a boundary value problem by employing the small amplitude water wave theory. With the aid of eigenfunction expansion, the problem is reduced to a set of integral equations having square-root singularities at the submerged edges of thin structures. To address such singularities, a multi-term Galerkin approximation technique is used along with Chebyshev polynomials (multiplied with suitable weights) as basis functions. The numerical methodology employed here validates with different previous literatures as special cases. Then, numerical solutions of the reflection and transmission coefficients, hydrodynamic forces are graphically illustrated across various dimensionless structural parameters. In summary, the present paper offers valuable insights into the dynamics of wave scattering by a pair of asymmetric inverse bottom-mounted Π-shaped breakwater, emphasizing the role of different non-dimensional parameters in this system.

Hydrodynamic Mechanism for Stable Spindle Positioning in Meiosis II Oocytes

Cytoplasmic streaming, the persistent flow of fluid inside a cell, induces intracellular transport, which plays a key role in fundamental biological processes. In meiosis II mouse oocytes (developing egg cells) awaiting fertilization, the spindle, which is the protein structure responsible for dividing genetic material in a cell, must maintain its position near the cell cortex (the thin actin network bound to the cell membrane) for many hours. However, the cytoplasmic streaming that accompanies this stable positioning would intuitively appear to destabilize the spindle position. Here, through a combination of numerical and analytical modeling, we reveal a hydrodynamic mechanism for stable spindle positioning beneath the cortical cap. We show that this stability depends critically on the spindle size and the active driving from the cortex and demonstrate that stable spindle positioning can result purely from a hydrodynamic suction force exerted on the spindle by the cytoplasmic flow. Our findings show that local fluid dynamic forces can be sufficient to stabilize the spindle, explaining robustness against perturbations not only perpendicular but also parallel to the cortex. Our results shed light on the importance of cytoplasmic streaming in mammalian meiosis. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Seismic Stability Evaluation of Landfill Veneer Cover Systems Using Modified Pseudo-Dynamic Method

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the seismic stability of veneer cover systems, addressing the sliding failure (SF) and uplifted-floating failure (UF) caused by retained water. The modified pseudo-dynamic (MPD) method, considering hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and seismic forces, is employed. Comparison of the results with the literature under the pseudo-static (PS) and pseudo-dynamic (PD) loading conditions highlight the precision of the MPD method. Consideration of the visco-elastic behavior and soil damping in the analysis enhances the accuracy of the MPD method. Design charts are proposed for the determination of the allowable thickness of cover soil, which is cost-effective, ensuring seismic safety against SF and UF modes.

Parametric study for shear failure of bearing pads due to hurricane-induced wave loadings

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and rising sea levels due to climate change, presents significant challenges to coastal infrastructure. With 42% of bridges in the United States exceeding 50 years of age, which surpasses their intended service life, there is a pressing need to assess their structural integrity, especially in coastal regions. This study focuses on evaluating the structural performance of bearing pads in coastal bridges under hurricane-induced wave loadings. Utilizing a combination of physics-based models (PBM), nonlinear modal time history analysis, and numerical validation, the research examines the hysteresis response of eight distinct bearing pad configurations. The findings indicate that reinforced circular bearing pads exhibit significantly greater shear displacements compared to plain elastomeric pads, underscoring the critical influence of shape factors on shear response. Fragility functions developed in the study illustrate the probability of shear failure, with reinforced circular pads showing a 28% higher likelihood of exceedance compared to rectangular plain pads. These results highlight the necessity for advanced design methodologies specifically for bearing pads to enhance the resilience of coastal infrastructure against severe hydrodynamic forces induced by hurricanes.

Numerical Modelling of Fish Cage Structural Responses in Regular and Irregular Waves Using Modified XPBD

Abstract The structural response of gravity-type fish cages in waves and current is numerically investigated. A Morison model is adopted to compute the hydrodynamic forces acting on the net ropes of the aquaculture nets and a screen model is used to compute the hydrodynamic forces on the net twines of the fish cages. The irregular waves are created based on the JONSWAP wave spectrum. The structure of the aquaculture nets is modeled using a modified extended position-based dynamics (XPBD) algorithm. The proposed method is effectively validated against the published experiment data to ensure its accuracy and reliability. The static response of the fish cage at various current speeds and the dynamic responses of the fish cage in regular and irregular waves are analyzed. Results show that the volume of the investigated fish cage is reduced by 30% in a current of 0.5m/s. The tension at the bottom net can reach about five times of maximum tension of the case without current. In the regular or irregular waves, the drag force of the fish cage is higher than that in a uniform flow with the same current speed and the fish cage volume decreases. The increase in drag force rises from the coupling between the waves and current. Therefore, the hydrodynamic model including the regular and irregular modeling, Morison model and screen model is successfully implemented into the framework of the present modified XPBD algorithm to provide the structural response of fish cages in waves and current.

Research on the Characteristics of Seepage Failure in the Surrounding Rock (Coal) of the Goafs

During mining, the brittle fracture structure of coal makes it highly susceptible to disturbance, leading to changes in the permeability of the coal seam from non-conductive to water-conductive, which poses a significant threat to the stability and safety of coal pillars in goafs. Therefore, understanding the damage mechanisms of coal during water–rock interactions is crucial for ensuring mine safety. In this paper, based on laboratory seepage tests, the impact of hydrodynamic forces on the microstructure of fissured coal and its subsequent effect on permeability is examined. The study found that increasing confining pressure causes the “closure” of coal fissures, leading to a reduction in permeability. Additionally, during the initial stage of seepage, fine particles within the coal samples are mobilized due to seepage damage, leading to channel blockages and further reductions in permeability. However, as seepage continues, the hydraulic channels eventually open fully, resulting in a sharp increase in permeability. Furthermore, using a two-dimensional fracture seepage model, the study investigated how the scale of fractures in the water-conducting channels influences seepage behavior. A critical fracture width method was proposed to predict permeability surges, offering a new approach for analyzing the stability of coal pillars in mining areas.

Dynamic modeling and simulation of a new conceptual design of a magnetic capsule robot by application of endoscopic capsule

This paper investigates design, modeling, simulation, and dynamic issues related to self-propelled endoscopic capsule navigated inside the human body through external magnetic fields. A novel magnetic propulsion system is proposed and fabricated, which has great potential of being used in the field of noninvasive gastrointestinal endoscopy. The endoscopic capsule dynamic is studied on a medical silicone plate as the closest available material for the stomach tissue. First, the mechanical characteristics of the medical silicone plate is measured. Next, the forces acted on the endoscopic capsule which are friction, hydrodynamic and magnetic forces are determined by means of test and numerical techniques such as finite element method. Having known the magnitude of forces and torques on the endoscopic capsule, the dynamics of capsule are calculated under different initial conditions and external magnetic fields.

Adsorption and Morphology Analysis of Bovine Serum Albumin on a Micropillar-Enhanced Quartz Crystal Microbalance.

The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA), a widely used blood plasma protein, onto poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surface is a fundamental phenomenon attracting increasing interests in molecular biology, cell culture, immunology, diagnostics, and vaccinology. The nanostructured PMMA surfaces have shown a considerable effect on the BSA adsorption process. However, the effect of microstructures (e.g., micropillars) on BSA adsorption has seldom been studied. This research reports on the development of an acoustic resonance based method to explore the adsorption of BSA proteins on PMMA micropillars in terms of surface coverage, apparent binding constants, and pH-induced morphology variation. A theoretical model is developed to understand the frequency changes of QCM induced by BSA adsorption by taking into consideration the effects of the hydrodynamic force and an equivalent BSA/liquid layer formed on the micropillar surface. In addition, it was found that the resonance of micropillars with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) substrate significantly influenced BSA adsorption on micropillar surfaces.

Stick, Slide, or Bounce: Charge Density Controls Nanoparticle Diffusion.

The diffusion and interaction dynamics of charged nanoparticles (NPs) within charged polymer networks are crucial for understanding various biological and biomedical applications. Using a combination of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and experimental diffusion studies, we investigate the effects of the NP size, relative surface charge density (ζ), and concentration on the NP permeation length and time. We propose a scaling law for the relative diffusion of NPs with respect to concentration and ζ, highlighting how these factors influence the NP movement within the network. The analyses reveal that concentration and ζ significantly affect NP permeation length and time, with ζ being critical, as critical as concentration. This finding is corroborated by controlled release experiments. Further, we categorize NP dynamics into sticking, sliding, and bouncing regimes, demonstrating how variations in ζ, concentration, and NP size control these behaviors. Through normalized attachment time (NAT) analyses, we elucidate the roles of electrostatic interactions, steric hindrance, and hydrodynamic forces in governing NP dynamics. These insights provide guidance for optimizing NP design in targeted drug delivery and advanced material applications, enhancing our understanding of NP behavior in complex environments.