An improved technique to measure axial variation in wall flow along the channels of a diesel particulate filter

A technique to measure wall flow variation in Diesel Particle Filters (DPFs) is described. In a recent paper, it was shown how the flow distribution in DPFs could be measured in a non-destructive manner. This involved measuring the progressive dilution of a tracer gas introduced at the "outlet" channel upstream end. In the present paper, a significant further improvement to this technique is described, in which only a single probe is required, rather than the two of the previous technique. The single, traversable, probe consists of a controllable flow sink, and slightly downstream, a tracer gas supply. By controlling the sink flow rate such that a very small concentration of tracer gas is aspirated into it, the total flow up to that location in the channel is determined. Typical results showing the axial variation in the wall flow for known wall blockage cases are presented. It is suggested that this technique could be used to interpret the soot loading in the filter channels in a non-intrusive way.

Secondary flow near an undulatory surface induced by wall blocking effect

Prandtl's secondary mean motions of the second kind near an undulating surface were explained in terms of turbulent blocking effect and kinematic boundary conditions at the surface, and its order of magnitude was estimated. Isotropic turbulence is distorted by the undulating surface of wavelength λ and amplitude h with a low slope, so that h « λ. The prime mechanism for generating the mean flow is that the far-field Isotropic turbulence is distorted by the non-local blocking effect of the surface to become anisotropic axisymmetric turbulence near the surface with principal axis that is not aligned with the local curvature of the undulation. Then the local analysis can be applied and the mechanism is similar to the mean flow generation mechanism for homogeneous axisymmetric turbulence over a planer surface, i.e. gradients of the Reynolds stress caused by the turbulent blocking effect generate the mean motions. The results from this simple analysis are consistent with previous exact analysis in which the effects of curvature are strictly taken into account. The results also qualitatively agree with flow visualization over an undulating surface in a mixing-box.

Reynolds number influence on turbulent blocking effects of a rigid plane boundary (3rd report, direct numerical simulation on wall blocking effects for anisotropic turbulence)

The Reynolds number influence on turbulent blocking effects by a rigid plane boundary is studied using direct numerical simulation (DNS). A new forcing method proposed in the second report using Townsend's "simple model eddies" for DNS was extended to generate axisymmetric anisotropic turbulence. A force field is obtained in real space by sprinkling many space-filling "simple model eddies" whose centers are randomly but uniformly distributed in space. The axes of rotation are controlled in this study to generate axisymmetric anisotropic turbulence. The method is applied to a shear-free turbulent boundary layer over a rigid plane boundary and the blocking effects for anisotropic turbulence are investigated. The results show that stationary axisymmetric anisotropic turbulence is generated using the present method. Turbulence intensities near the wall showed good agreements with the rapid distortion theory (RDT) for small t (t ≪ TL), where TL. is the eddy turnover time. The splat effect (i. e. turbulence intensities of the components parallel to the surface are amplified) occurs near the boundary and the viscous effect attenuates the splat effect at the quasi steady state at low Reynolds number as for Isotropic turbulence. Prandtl's secondary flow of the second kind does not occur for low Reynolds number flows, which qualitatively agrees with previous observetion in a mixing-box.

Distributed optical fiber strain sensing in a secant piled wall

An optical fiber strain sensing technique, based on Brillouin Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (BOTDR), was used to obtain the full deformation profile of a secant pile wall during construction of an adjacent basement in London. Details of the installation of sensors as well as data processing are described. By installing optical fiber down opposite sides of the pile, the distributed strain profiles obtained can be used to give both the axial and lateral movements along the pile. Measurements obtained from the BOTDR were found in good agreement with inclinometer data from the adjacent piles. The relative merits of the two different techniques are discussed. © 2007 ASCE.

Embodied energy as an environmental impact indicator for basement wall construction

Attempts were made to quantify the environmental impacts of the basement walls of two commercial buildings in London. Four different retaining wall options were designed based on steel and concrete systems for each of the sites. It was considered that excavation would take place with the aid of a one or two anchors system. Evaluation of embodied energy (EE) and CO2 emissions for each of the wall designs and anchoring systems were compared. Results show that there are notable differences in EE between different wall designs. Using the averaged set of Embodied Energy Intensity (EEI) values, the use of recycled steel over virgin steel would reduce the EE of the wall significantly. The difference in anchor designs is relatively insignificant, and therefore the practicality of the design for the specific site should be the deciding factor for anchor types. Generally, the scale of environmental impacts due to constructions is large compared to other aspects in life as demonstrated with the comparisons to car emissions and household energy consumption. Copyright ASCE 2008.