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Numerical modelling of thixotropic and viscoelastoplastic materials in complex flows

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Abstract

This study is concerned with the finite element/finite volume (fe/fv) simulation of thixotropic and viscoelastoplastic material systems through two model approaches: (i) a new micellar thixotropic constitutive model for wormlike micellar systems (that introduces viscoelasticity into the network structure construction/destruction kinetic equation) and (ii) adopting a Bingham–Papanastasiou model. The computational approach is based on a hybrid parent/subcell scheme, which is cast about a semi-implicit incremental pressure correction (ipc) scheme. The appearance of plastic behaviour arises through the micellar polymeric viscosity, by increasing the zero-shear viscosity (low solvent fractions), whilst the Bingham–Papanastasiou introduces plastic features through the solvent viscosity. The characteristics of thixotropic wormlike micellar systems are represented through the class of Bautista–Manero models. Correction is incorporated, based on physical arguments for fluidity, in which absolute values of the dissipation function are adopted in complex flow, thereby accessing low-solvent fractions and high-elasticity levels. Considering elastic and plastic influences separately, solutions are compared and contrasted for contraction–expansion flow, identifying such flow field features as vortex dynamics, stress field structure, yield front patterns and enhanced pressure drop. Particular attention is paid to the influence of enhanced strain hardening that is introduced through stronger thixotropic structural features. Vortex activity decreases as either We is increased at a fixed τ 0 or τ 0 is increased at a fixed We. Exaggerated strain-hardening properties are observed to have a major impact on vortex activity. Patterns and trends in normal stress difference fields reflect those in re-entrant corner vortex patterns. Yield front patterns are significantly influenced with yield stress τ 0 variation and more so than elevation in elasticity. Findings on excess pressure drop (epd) versus increased yield stress (τ 0) follow a linear trend. Consistently, it is evident that any variation that leads to a more solid-like behaviour produces epd enhancement. In addition, relatively more structured fluids display distinctly larger epd values throughout the τ 0 range covered.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support (scholarship to J.E.L.-A.) from the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT, México), Zienkiewcz College of Engineering scholarship and NHS Wales Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Trust Fund is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK

    J. Esteban López-Aguilar, Michael F. Webster & Hamid Reza Tamaddon-Jahromi

  2. Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, UNAM, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico

    Octavio Manero

Authors
  1. J. Esteban López-Aguilar
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  2. Michael F. Webster
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  3. Hamid Reza Tamaddon-Jahromi
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  4. Octavio Manero
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Correspondence to Michael F. Webster.

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López-Aguilar, J.E., Webster, M.F., Tamaddon-Jahromi, H.R. et al. Numerical modelling of thixotropic and viscoelastoplastic materials in complex flows. Rheol Acta 54, 307–325 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-014-0810-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-014-0810-2

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