A finite element method for the resolution of the Reduced Navier-Stokes/Prandtl equations

A finite element method to solve the bidimensional Reduced Navier-Stokes Prandtl (RNS/P) equations is described. These equations are an asymptotical simplification of the full Navier-Stokes equations, obtained when one dimension of the domain is of one order smaller than the others. These aretherefore of particular interest to describe flows in channels or pipes of small diameter. A low order finite element discretization, based on a piecewise constant approximation of the pressure, is proposed and analyzed. Numerical experiments which consist in fluid flow simulations within a constricted pipe are provided. Comparisons with Navier-Stokes simulations allow to evaluate the performance of prediction of the finite element method, and of the model itself

Multiple-Play Bandits in the Position-Based Model

Sequentially learning to place items in multi-position displays or lists is a task that can be cast into the multiple-play semi-bandit setting. However, a major concern in this context is when the system cannot decide whether the user feedback for each item is actually exploitable. Indeed, much of the content may have been simply ignored by the user. The present work proposes to exploit available information regarding the display position bias under the so-called Position-based click model (PBM). We first discuss how this model differs from the Cascade model and its variants considered in several recent works on multiple-play bandits. We then provide a novel regret lower bound for this model as well as computationally efficient algorithms that display good empirical and theoretical performance

A pressure impulse theory for hemispherical liquid impact problems

Liquid impact problems for hemispherical fluid domain are considered. By using the concept of pressure impulse we show that the solution of the flow induced by the impact is reduced to the derivation of Laplace's equation in spherical coordinates with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. The structure of the flow at the impact moment is deduced from the spherical harmonics representation of the solution. In particular we show that the slip velocity has a logarithmic singularity at the contact line. The theoretical predictions are in very good agreement both qualitatively and quantitatively with the first time step of a numerical simulation with a Navier-Stokes solver named Gerris.Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures, Accepted for publication in European Journal of Mechanics - B/Fluid

Continuum simulation of the discharge of the granular silo: a validation test for the mu(I)-visco-plastic flow law

Using both a continuum Navier-Stokes solver, with the mu(I)-flow-law implemented to model the viscous behavior, and the discrete Contact Dynamics algorithm, the discharge of granular silos is simulated in two dimensions from the early stages of the discharge until complete release of the material. In both cases, the Beverloo scaling is recovered. We first do not attempt quantitative comparison, but focus on the qualitative behavior of velocity and pressure at different locations in the flow. A good agreement is obtained in the regions of rapid flows, while areas of slow creep are not entirely captured by the continuum model. The pressure field shows a general good agreement. The evolution of the free surface implies differences, however, the bulk deformation is essentially identical in both approaches. The influence of the parameters of the mu(I)-flow-law is systematically investigated, showing the importance of the dependence on the inertial number I to achieve quantitative agreement between continuum and discrete discharge. The general ability of the continuum model to reproduce qualitatively the granular behavior is found to be very encouraging.Comment: 12 pages, 15 figure

Comparison of computations of asymptotic flow models in a constricted channel

International audienceWe aim at comparing computations with asymptotic models issued from incom- pressible Navier-Stokes at high Reynolds number: the Reduced Navier-Stokes/Prandtl (RNS/P) equations and the Double Deck (DD) equations. We treat the case of the steady two dimensional flow in a constricted pipe. In particular, finite differences and finite element solvers are compared for the RNS/P equations. It results from this study that the two codes compare well. Numerical examples also illustrate the interest of these asymptotic models as well as the flexibility of the finite element solver

Modelling the human pharyngeal airway: validation of numerical simulations using in vitro experiments

In the presented study, a numerical model which predicts the flow-induced collapse within the pharyngeal airway is validated using in vitro measurements. Theoretical simplifications were considered to limit the computation time. Systematic comparisons between simulations and measurements were performed on an in vitro replica, which reflects asymmetries of the geometry and of the tissue properties at the base of the tongue and in pathological conditions (strong initial obstruction). First, partial obstruction is observed and predicted. Moreover, the prediction accuracy of the numerical model is of 4.2% concerning the deformation (mean quadratic error on the constriction area). It shows the ability of the assumptions and method to predict accurately and quickly a fluid-structure interaction

The granular silo as a continuum plastic flow: the hour-glass vs the clepsydra

The granular silo is one of the many interesting illustrations of the thixotropic property of granular matter: a rapid flow develops at the outlet, propagating upwards through a dense shear flow while material at the bottom corners of the container remains static. For large enough outlets, the discharge flow is continuous; however, by contrast with the clepsydra for which the flow velocity depends on the height of fluid left in the container, the discharge rate of granular silos is constant. Implementing a plastic rheology in a 2D Navier-Stokes solver (following the mu(I)-rheology or a constant friction), we simulate the continuum counterpart of the granular silo. Doing so, we obtain a constant flow rate during the discharge and recover the Beverloo scaling independently of the initial filling height of the silo. We show that lowering the value of the coefficient of friction leads to a transition toward a different behavior, similar to that of a viscous fluid, and where the filling height becomes active in the discharge process. The pressure field shows that large enough values of the coefficient of friction ($\simeq$ 0.3) allow for a low-pressure cavity to form above the outlet, and can thus explain the Beverloo scaling. In conclusion, the difference between the discharge of a hourglass and a clepsydra seems to reside in the existence or not of a plastic yield stress.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure