Research Reports for 2004

CSR 1-2004
Computation of Incompressible and Weakly-Compressible Viscoelastic Liquids Flow: finite element/volume schemes
M. F. Webster, I. J. Keshtiban, and F. Belblidia
abstract    PDF
CSR 2-2004
Compressible Flow Solvers for Low Mach Number Flows Ð a review
I.J. Keshtiban, F. Belblidia and M.F. Webster
abstract    PDF
CSR 3-2004
Modelling Pom-Pom Type Models with High-Order Finite Volume Schemes
M. Aboubacar, J. P. Aguayo, P.M. Phillips, T.N.Phillips, H. R. Tamaddon-Jahromi B.A. Snigerev and M.F. Webster
abstract    PDF
CSR 4-2004
Sub-cell approximations for viscoelastic flows-filament stretching
M.F. Webster, H. Matallah and K.S. Sujatha
abstract    PDF
CSR 5-2004
Computations via experiments with kinematic systems
E.J. Beggs and J.V. Tucker
abstract    PDF
CSR 6-2004
Automated office-management and interactive database Systems for the WWW
J. Harvey and M.F. Webster
abstract    PDF
CSR 7-2004
Transient viscoelastic flows in planar contractions
M.F. Webster, H.R.Tamaddon-Jahromi and M. Aboubacar
abstract    PDF
CSR 8-2004
Stabilisation of computations for incompressible and compressible liquid flows
F. Belblidia, I.J. Keshtiban and M.F. Webster
abstract    PDF
CSR 9-2004
The Numerical Prediction of Viscoelastic Flows using the Pom-Pom Model and High-Order Finite Volume Schemes
J.P. Aguayo, P.M. Phillips, T.N. Phillips2, B.A. Snigerev, H.R. Tamaddon-Jahromi, and M.F. Webster
abstract    PDF
CSR 10-2004
Time-Dependent Algorithms for Viscoelastic Flow - finite element/volume schemes
M.F. Webster, H.R. Tamaddon-Jahromi and M. Aboubaca
abstract    PDF
CSR 11-2004
Managing Interaction for Multimedia Collaboration: Through the Keyhole of Noughts and Crosses Games
Siti Z. Z. Abidin, Min Chen and Phil W. Grant
abstract    PDF

CSR 1-2004 Computation of Incompressible and Weakly-Compressible Viscoelastic Liquids Flow: finite element/volume schemes

M. F. Webster, I. J. Keshtiban, and F. Belblidia

In this study, we analyse viscoelastic numerical solution for an Oldroyd-B model under incompressible and weakly-compressible liquid flow conditions. We consider flow through a planar four-to-one contraction, as a standard benchmark, throughout a range of Weissenberg numbers up to critical levels. At the same time, inertial and creeping flow settings are also addressed.

Within our scheme, we compare and contrast, two forms of stress discretisation, both embedded within a high-order pressure-correction time-marching formulation based on triangles. This encompasses a parent-cell finite element/SUPG scheme, with quadratic stress interpolation and recovery of velocity gradients. The second scheme involves a sub-cell finite volume implementation, a hybrid fe/fv scheme for the full system. A new feature of this study is that both numerical configurations are able to accommodate incompressible, and low to vanishing Mach number compressible liquid flows. This is of some interest within industrial application areas. We are able to provide parity between the numerical solutions across schemes for any given flow setting. Close examination of flow patterns and vortex trends indicates the broad differences anticipated between incompressible and weakly-compressible solutions. Vortex reduction with increasing Weissenberg number is a common feature throughout. Compressible solutions provide larger vortices (salient and lip) than their incompressible counterparts, and larger stress patterns in the re-entrant corner neighbourhood. Inertia tends to reduce such phenomena in all instances. The hybrid fe/fvscheme proves more robust, in that it captures the stress singularity more tightly than the feform at comparable Weissenberg numbers, reaching higher critical levels. The sub-cell structure, the handling of cross-stream numerical diffusion, and corner discontinuity capturing features of the hybrid fe/fv-scheme, are all perceived as attractive additional benefits that give preference to this choice of scheme.
Report Titles


CSR 2-2004 Compressible Flow Solvers for Low Mach Number Flows Ð a review

I.J. Keshtiban, F. Belblidia and M.F. Webster

The low Mach number setting is a singular limiting situation in compressible flows. As Mach number approaches zero, compressible (density-based) flow solvers suffer severe deficiencies, both in efficiency and accuracy. There are two main approaches advocated in the development of algorithms for the computation of low Mach number flows; first, There is the modification of compressible solvers (density-based) downward to low Mach numbers; second, extending incompressible solvers (pressurebased) towards this regime. Here, we present a brief review of the literature in this area. This addresses the modifications necessary to effectively apply density-based schemes and develop compressible pressure-based schemes to such low Mach number configurations.
Report Titles


CSR 3-2004 Modelling Pom-Pom Type Models with High-Order Finite Volume Schemes

M. Aboubacar, J. P. Aguayo, P.M. Phillips, T.N.Phillips, H. R. Tamaddon-Jahromi B.A. Snigerev and M.F. Webster

We are concerned with the numerical solution of viscoelastic flows using two contrasting high-order finite volume schemes. We take our earlier work for transient start-up flow in a channel and extend this beyond Oldroyd-B modelling to consider a different fluid model of the pom-pom class. This includes Single Extended form of the Pom-Pom model (SXPP), comparing the results of two different finite volume schemes. The numerical techniques employed are time-stepping algorithms, one of hybrid finite element/volume type, the other of pure finite volume form. The pure finite volume scheme is a staggered-grid cell-centred scheme based on area-weighting and a semi-Lagrangian formulation. This may be implemented on structured or unstructured rectangular grids, utilising backtracking along the solution characteristics in time. For the hybrid scheme, we solve the momentum/continuity equations by a fractional-staged Taylor-Galerkin/pressure-correction procedure and invoke a cell-vertex finite volume scheme for the constitutive law. This draws upon fluctuation distribution schemes (upwinding), different combinations of 'flux' and 'median-dual-cell' spatial discretisations and time-term treatments. Here, unstructured and structured meshes may be used, based largely on triangular grids. A comparison of the two finite volume approaches will be presented, concentrating upon the new features posed by the pom-pom class of models.
Report Titles


CSR 4-2004 Sub-cell approximations for viscoelastic flows-filament stretching

M.F. Webster, H. Matallah and K.S. Sujatha

The accuracy, stability and consistency of new stress interpolation schemes is investigated, based upon sub-cell approximations. This includes the contrast of two alternative hybrid spatial discretisations: a cell-vertex finite element/volume (fe/fv) scheme and a finite element equivalent (fe). Here, the interest is to explore the consequences of utilizing conventional methodology and to demonstrate resulting drawbacks in the presence of complex stress equation source terms. Alternative strategies worthy of consideration are presented for a constant shear viscosity model, that of Oldroyd-B, with strain-hardening and unbounded extensional properties. We demonstrate how high-order accuracy may be achieved by respecting consistency in our algorithmic constructions. Both fe- and fv-spatial discretisations are embedded within this methodology. Linear interpolation for stress, of either fe- or fv-form on triangular sub-cells, is referenced within parent triangular finite elements in two dimensions. Finite element discretization is employed for the momentum and continuity system, via a second-order pressurecorrection scheme. In this regard, a complex filament-stretching flow with a free-surface is selected to compute the transient evolution of kinematic and stress fields. Shortcomings of various up-winding schemes are discussed, whilst dealing with such free-surface type problems and appropriate strategies for dealing with these types of problems are outlined.
Report Titles


CSR 5-2004 Computations via experiments with kinematic systems

E.J. Beggs and J.V. Tucker

Consider the idea of computing functions using experiments with kinematic systems. We prove that for any set A of natural numbers there exists a 2-dimensional kinematic system B_A with a single particle P whose observable behaviour decides if n is in A for all n in N. The system is a bagatelle and can be designed to operate under (a) Newtonian mechanics or (b) Relativistic mechanics. The theorem proves that valid models of mechanical systems can compute all possible functions on discrete data. The proofs show how any information (coded by some A) can be embedded in the structure of a simple kinematic system and retrieved by simple observations of its behaviour. We reflect on this undesirable situation and argue that mechanics must be extended to include a formal theory for performing experiments, which includes the construction of systems. We conjecture that in such an extended mechanics the functions computed by experiments are precisely those computed by algorithms. We set these theorems and ideas in the context of the literature on the general problem ÒIs physical behaviour computable?Ó and state some open problems.
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CSR 6-2004 Automated office-management and interactive database Systems for the WWW

J. Harvey and M.F. Webster

This paper outlines the provision and development of interactive database systems through the context of the www, providing a tiered-system of permissions, interaction and automation, and illustrated through a particular case-study. Novel developments such as the multiple-view and multiple-edit facilities, coupled with system intelligence and data integrity protocols, ensure the delivery of an efficient automated environment. This provides a solution with the power to cater for the transparent delivery of document and multimedia services to a hierarchy of system users.
Report Titles


CSR 7-2004 Transient viscoelastic flows in planar contractions

M.F. Webster, H.R.Tamaddon-Jahromi and M. Aboubacar

This article considers transient flows for planar contractions and Oldroyd-B fluids, with increasing flow-rate boundary conditions. We employ a novel hybrid finite volume/element time-dependent algorithm. This scheme is shown to be second-order accurate in space and time. The hybrid scheme consists of a Taylor-Galerkin finite element discretisation, and a cell-vertex fluctuation-distribution finite volume approach. These two approaches are coupled at each time-step to solve the parabolic/hyperbolic system of partial differential equations. The finite element section is applied to the mass and momentum conservation equations, whilst the hyperbolic constitutive equation is treated via finite volume discretisation. The application of this time-accurate scheme to complex flows reveals some novel features, in contrast to time-independent (constant flow-rate) driving boundary conditions. In particular, we highlight dynamic flow structure evolution on the field and in stress.
Report Titles


CSR 8-2004 Stabilisation of computations for incompressible and compressible liquid flows

F. Belblidia, I.J. Keshtiban and M.F. Webster

We analyse the effect of strain-rate stabilisation embedded within a high-order pressure-correction time-marching formulation. This is applied to a planar 4:1 abrupt contraction problem for an Oldroyd-B model under incompressible and compressible flow conditions. We emphasize the differences between non-stabilised and stabilised solutions through stress profiles and limiting levels of critical We. It is observed that SRS promotes the critical We-level by reducing stress oscillations and peak stress-level around the re-entrant corner. Examination of flow patterns, stress profiles and vortex characteristics highlight the key differences between comparable incompressible and compressible solutions. In this regard, compressible solutions tend to suppress stress oscillations, though with attendant increase in peak stress-levels.
Report Titles


CSR 9-2004 The Numerical Prediction of Viscoelastic Flows using the Pom-Pom Model and High-Order Finite Volume Schemes

J.P. Aguayo, P.M. Phillips, T.N. Phillips, B.A. Snigerev, H.R. Tamaddon-Jahromi, and M.F. Webster

This study investigates the numerical solution of viscoelastic flows using two contrasting high-order finite volume schemes. We extend our earlier work for Poiseuille flow in a planar channel and a Single Extended Pom-Pom (SXPP) model [1], to determine steady-state solutions for planar 4:1 sharp contraction flows. The numerical techniques employed are time-stepping algorithms: one of hybrid finite element/volume type, the other of pure finite volume form. The pure finite volume scheme is a staggeredgrid cell-centred scheme based on area-weighting and a semi-Lagrangian formulation. This may be implemented on structured or unstructured rectangular grids, utilising backtracking along the solution characteristics in time. For the hybrid scheme, we solve the momentum-continuity equations by a fractional-staged Taylor-Galerkin pressure-correction procedure and invoke a cell-vertex finite volume scheme for the constitutive law. A comparison of the two finite volume approaches will be presented, concentrating upon the new features posed by the Pom-Pom class of models in this complex flow.
Report Titles


CSR 10-2004 Time-Dependent Algorithms for Viscoelastic Flow - finite element/volume schemes

M.F. Webster, H.R. Tamaddon-Jahromi and M. Aboubacar

Hybrid finite volume/element methods are investigated within the context of transient vis- coelastic flows. A finite volume algorithm is proposed for the hyperbolic constitutive equation, of Oldroyd-form, whilst the continuity/momentum balance is accommodated through a Taylor- Galerkin finite element method. Various finite volume combinations are considered to derive accurate and stable implementations. Consistency of formulation is key, embracing fluctuation distribution and median-dual-cell constructs, within a cell-vertex discretisation on triangles. In addition, we investigate the effect of treating the time-term in a finite element fashion, using mass-matrix iteration instead of the standard finite volume mass-lumping approach. We devise an accurate transient scheme that captures the analytical solution at short and long time, both in core flow and near shear boundaries. In this respect, some difficulties are highlighted. A new method emerges, with the Low Diffusion B (LDB, with or without mass-matrix iteration) as the optimal choice. We progress to a complex flow application and demonstrate some provocative features due to the in¡uence of true transient boundary conditions on evolutionary flow-structure in a 4:1 start-up rounded-corner contraction problem.
Report Titles


CSR 11-2004 Managing Interaction for Multimedia Collaboration: Through the Keyhole of Noughts and Crosses Games

Siti Z. Z. Abidin, Min Chen and Phil W. Grant

Interaction management is concerned with the protocols that govern structured interactive activities among multiple users or agents in distributed and collaborative environments. Research in this area has largely been carried out in specific application domains, such as 3D virtual environments. We present an abstraction of various collaborative applications in the form of variations of noughts and crosses. We examine the needs in these games for programming interaction protocols, and propose a comprehensive collection of program constructs for supporting interaction management. We demonstrate, through these variations of the game, the usefulness of these language constructs.
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