arXiv subjects

Charbel Habchi

Publications and source records attributed to Charbel Habchi.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

On the local anisotropy of quasi-two-dimensional forced shallow flow: An experimental study

We experimentally investigate quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) forced shallow flows in the presence of solid boundaries and analyze the deviation from the Kolmogorov-Kraichnan (KK) theory. Complex motion is generated using a thin electrolyte subject to electromagnetic forces, and we employ particle tracking velocimetry to resolve the flow properties down to the Kolmogorov scale. Although the velocity probability distribution function closely resembles a Gaussian, deviations from Gaussianity emerge for velocity increments as scales decrease. The second-order structure function supports the onset of local anisotropy at small scales. The sign of the third-order structure function indicates the dominance of the inverse cascade in energy transfer, and the cross-correlation between longitudinal and transverse directions proves to be significant at large scales. The breakdown of local isotropy is consistent with the effect of bottom friction, which primarily affects the longitudinal motion, while leaving the perpendicular direction unaffected. This local anisotropy propagates to larger scales via the inverse energy cascade, with nonlinear interactions eventually influencing the perpendicular direction.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2023

Machine Learning Assisted Resistive Force Theory for Helical Structures at Low Reynolds Number

The hydrodynamic forces on a slender rod in a fluid medium at low Reynolds number can be modeled using resistive force theories (RFTs) or slender body theories (SBTs). The former represent the forces by local drag coefficients and are computationally cheap; however, they are physically inaccurate when long-range hydrodynamic interaction is involved. The later are physically accurate but require solving integral equations and, therefore, are computationally expensive. This paper investigates RFTs in comparison with state-of-the art SBT methods. During the process, a neural network-based hydrodynamic model that -- similar to RFTs -- relies on local drag coefficients for computational efficiency was developed. However, the network is trained using data from an SBT (regularized stokeslet segments method). The $R^2$ value of the trained coefficients were $\sim 0.99$ with mean absolute error of $1.6\times10^{-2}$. The machine learning resistive force theory (MLRFT) accounts for local hydrodynamic forces distribution, the dependence on rotational and translational speeds and directions, and geometric parameters of the slender object. We show that, when classical RFT fails to accurately predict the forces, torques, and drags on slender rods under low Reynolds number flows, MLRFT exhibits good agreement with physically accurate SBT simulations. In terms of computational speed, MLRFT forgoes the need of solving an inverse problem and, therefore, requires negligible computation time in comparison with SBT. MLRFT presents a computationally inexpensive hydrodynamic model for flagellar propulsion can be used in the design and optimization of biomimetic flagellated robots and analysis of bacterial locomotion.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2021

Ballooning in Spiders using Multiple Silk Threads

In this paper, three-dimensional numerical simulations of ballooning in spiders using multiple silk threads are performed using the discrete elastic rods method. The ballooning of spiders is hypothesised to be caused by the presence of the negative electric charge of the spider silk threads and the positive electric potential field in the earth's atmosphere. The numerical model presented here is first validated against experimental data from the open literature. After which, two cases are examined, in the first it is assumed that the electric charge is uniformly distributed along the threads while in the second, the electric charge is located at the thread tip. It is shown that the normalized terminal ballooning velocity, i.e. the velocity at which the spiders balloon after they reach steady-state, decrease linearly with the normalized lift force, especially for the tip located charge case. For the uniform electric charge case, this velocity shows a slightly weaker dependence on the normalized lift force. Moreover, it is shown in both cases that the normalized terminal ballooning velocity has no dependence on the normalized elastic bending stiffness of the threads and on the normalized viscous forces. Finally, the multi-thread bending process shows a three-dimensional conical sheet. Here we show that this behavior is caused by the Coulomb repelling forces owing to the threads electric charge which leads to dispersing the threads apart and thus avoid entanglement.

physics.comp-ph↗