arXiv subjects

John M. Stockie

Publications and source records attributed to John M. Stockie.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

Parametric resonance in spherical immersed elastic shells

We perform a stability analysis for a fluid-structure interaction problem in which a spherical elastic shell or membrane is immersed in a 3D viscous, incompressible fluid. The shell is an idealised structure having zero thickness, and has the same fluid lying both inside and outside. The problem is formulated mathematically using the immersed boundary framework in which Dirac delta functions are employed to capture the two-way interaction between fluid and immersed structure. The elastic structure is driven parametrically via a time-periodic modulation of the elastic membrane stiffness. We perform a Floquet stability analysis, considering the case of both a viscous and inviscid fluid, and demonstrate that the forced fluid-membrane system gives rise to parametric resonances in which the solution becomes unbounded even in the presence of viscosity. The analytical results are validated using numerical simulations with a 3D immersed boundary code for a range of wavenumbers and physical parameter values. Finally, potential applications to biological systems are discussed, with a particular focus on the human heart and investigating whether or not fluid-structure interaction-mediated instabilities could play a role in cardiac fluid dynamics.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2014

Simulating flexible fiber suspensions using a scalable immersed boundary algorithm

We present an approach for numerically simulating the dynamics of flexible fibers in a three-dimensional shear flow using a scalable immersed boundary (IB) algorithm based on Guermond and Minev's pseudo-compressible fluid solver. The fibers are treated as one-dimensional Kirchhoff rods that resist stretching, bending, and twisting, within the generalized IB framework. We perform a careful numerical comparison against experiments on single fibers performed by S. G. Mason and co-workers, who categorized the fiber dynamics into several distinct orbit classes. We show that the orbit class may be determined using a single dimensionless parameter for low Reynolds flows. Lastly, we simulate dilute suspensions containing up to hundreds of fibers using a distributed- memory computer cluster. These simulations serve as a stepping stone for studying more complex suspension dynamics including non-dilute suspensions and aggregation of fibers (also known as flocculation).

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2014

An efficient parallel immersed boundary algorithm using a pseudo-compressible fluid solver

We propose an efficient algorithm for the immersed boundary method on distributed-memory architectures, with the computational complexity of a completely explicit method and excellent parallel scaling. The algorithm utilizes the pseudo-compressibility method recently proposed by Guermond and Minev [Comptes Rendus Mathematique, 348:581-585, 2010] that uses a directional splitting strategy to discretize the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, thereby reducing the linear systems to a series of one-dimensional tridiagonal systems. We perform numerical simulations of several fluid-structure interaction problems in two and three dimensions and study the accuracy and convergence rates of the proposed algorithm. For these problems, we compare the proposed algorithm against other second-order projection-based fluid solvers. Lastly, the strong and weak scaling properties of the proposed algorithm are investigated.

cs.DC↗

arXiv2013

Numerical simulations of particle sedimentation using the immersed boundary method

We study the settling of solid particles within a viscous incompressible fluid contained in a two-dimensional channel, where the mass density of the particles is slightly greater than that of the fluid. The fluid-structure interaction problem is simulated numerically using the immersed boundary method, with an added mass term that is incorporated using a Boussinesq approximation. Simulations are performed with a single circular particle, and also with two particles in various initial configurations. The terminal settling velocities for the particles correspond closely with both theoretical and experimental results, and the single-particle dynamics reproduce expected behavior qualitatively. The two-particle simulations exhibit drafting-kissing-tumbling dynamics that is similar to what is observed in other experimental and numerical studies.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2012

A mathematical model of sap exudation in maple trees governed by ice melting, gas dissolution and osmosis

We develop a mathematical model for sap exudation in a maple tree that is based on a purely physical mechanism for internal pressure generation in trees in the leafless state. There has been a long-standing controversy in the tree physiology literature over precisely what mechanism drives sap exudation, and we aim to cast light on this issue. Our model is based on the work of Milburn and O'Malley [Can. J. Bot., 62(10):2101-2106, 1984] who hypothesized that elevated sap pressures derive from compressed gas that is trapped within certain wood cells and subsequently released when frozen sap thaws in the spring. We also incorporate the extension of Tyree [in Tree Sap, pp. 37-45, eds. M. Terazawa et al., Hokkaido Univ. Press, 1995] who argued that gas bubbles are prevented from dissolving because of osmotic pressure that derives from differences in sap sugar concentrations and the selective permeability of cell walls. We derive a system of differential-algebraic equations based on conservation principles that is used to test the validity of the Milburn-O'Malley hypothesis and also to determine the extent to which osmosis is required. This work represents the first attempt to derive a detailed mathematical model of sap exudation at the micro-scale.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2012

Riemann solver for a kinematic wave traffic model with discontinuous flux

We investigate a model for traffic flow based on the Lighthill-Whitham-Richards model that consists of a hyperbolic conservation law with a discontinuous, piecewise-linear flux. A mollifier is used to smooth out the discontinuity in the flux function over a small distance epsilon << 1 and then the analytical solution to the corresponding Riemann problem is derived in the limit as epsilon goes to 0. For certain initial data, the Riemann problem can give rise to zero waves that propagate with infinite speed but have zero strength. We propose a Godunov-type numerical scheme that avoids the otherwise severely restrictive CFL constraint that would arise from waves with infinite speed by exchanging information between local Riemann problems and thereby incorporating the effects of zero waves directly into the Riemann solver. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the behaviour of zero waves and their impact on the solution. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated through a careful convergence study and comparisons to computations using a third-order WENO scheme.

math.NA↗

arXiv2010

Numerical Simulations of Gravity-Driven Fingering in Unsaturated Porous Media Using a Non-Equilibrium Model

This is a computational study of gravity-driven fingering instabilities in unsaturated porous media. The governing equations and corresponding numerical scheme are based on the work of Nieber et al. [Ch. 23 in Soil Water Repellency, eds. C. J. Ritsema and L. W. Dekker, Elsevier, 2003] in which non-monotonic saturation profiles are obtained by supplementing the Richards equation with a non-equilibrium capillary pressure-saturation relationship, as well as including hysteretic effects. The first part of the study takes an extensive look at the sensitivity of the finger solutions to certain key parameters in the model such as capillary shape parameter, initial saturation, and capillary relaxation coefficient. The second part is a comparison to published experimental results that demonstrates the ability of the model to capture realistic fingering behaviour.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2009

An inverse Gaussian plume approach for estimating atmospheric pollutant emissions from multiple point sources

A method is developed for estimating the emission rates of contaminants into the atmosphere from multiple point sources using measurements of particulate material deposited at ground level. The approach is based on a Gaussian plume type solution for the advection-diffusion equation with ground-level deposition and given emission sources. This solution to the forward problem is incorporated into an inverse algorithm for estimating the emission rates by means of a linear least squares approach. The results are validated using measured deposition and meteorological data from a large lead-zinc smelting operation in Trail, British Columbia. The algorithm is demonstrated to be robust and capable of generating reasonably accurate estimates of total contaminant emissions over the relatively short distances of interest in this study.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2009

A model for reactive porous transport during re-wetting of hardened concrete

A mathematical model is developed that captures the transport of liquid water in hardened concrete, as well as the chemical reactions that occur between the imbibed water and the residual calcium silicate compounds residing in the porous concrete matrix. The main hypothesis in this model is that the reaction product -- calcium silicate hydrate gel -- clogs the pores within the concrete thereby hindering water transport. Numerical simulations are employed to determine the sensitivity of the model solution to changes in various physical parameters, and compare to experimental results available in the literature.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2006

A moving mesh method with variable relaxation time

We propose a moving mesh adaptive approach for solving time-dependent partial differential equations. The motion of spatial grid points is governed by a moving mesh PDE (MMPDE) in which a mesh relaxation time τis employed as a regularization parameter. Previously reported results on MMPDEs have invariably employed a constant value of the parameter τ. We extend this standard approach by incorporating a variable relaxation time that is calculated adaptively alongside the solution in order to regularize the mesh appropriately throughout a computation. We focus on singular problems involving self-similar blow-up to demonstrate the advantages of using a variable relaxation ime over a fixed one in terms of accuracy, stability and efficiency.

math.NA↗