Reynolds number influence on turbulent blocking effects of a rigid plane boundary (2nd report, direct numerical simulation using townsend's eddy forcing)

The Reynolds number influence on turbulent blocking effects by a rigid plane boundary is studied using direct numerical simulation (DNS). A new forcing method using 'simple model eddies' (Townsend 1976) for DNS of stationary homogeneous isotropic turbulence is proposed. 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 and whose axes of rotation are random. The method is applied to a shear-free turbulent boundary layer over a rigid plane boundary and the blocking effects are investigated. The results show that stationary homogeneous isotropic turbulence is generated in real space using the present method. By using different model eddies with different sizes and rotation speeds, we could change the turbulence properties such as the integral and micro scales, the turbulent Reynolds number and the isotropy of turbulence. Turbulence intensities near the wall showed good agreements with the previous measurement and the linear analysis based on a rapid distortion theory (RDT). The splat effect (i.e., turbulence intensities of the components parallel to the boundary are amplified) occurs near the boundary and the viscous effect prohibits the splat effect at the quasi steady state at low Reynolds number.

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.

Natural frequency and damping ratio of a vertically vibrated surface foundation

It is possible and common to obtain equivalent natural frequency and damping for a soil-foundation system from results of experimental or numerical analysis assuming the system has a single degree of freedom. Three approaches to extract natural frequency and damping were applied to the vertically vibrated soil-foundation system. The sensitivity of the computed natural frequency and damping to the soil properties was evaluated through parametric studies. About 10-20% of discrepancy in values of natural frequency was observed due to different approaches. The results help to assess the reliability of equivalent soil properties determined from the reported natural frequency of the system. Finally the results obtained using theoretical predictions with linear soil properties measured in situ were compared to those calculated from experimental data. The prediction and experimental results showed good agreements if the embedment of the foundation is neglected with stepped sine test but considered with impulse test. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Cost-effectiveness of alternative powertrains for reduced energy use and CO2 emissions in passenger vehicles

This work analysed the cost-effectiveness of avoiding carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions using advanced internal combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles across the nine UK passenger vehicles segments. Across all vehicle types and powertrain groups, minimum installed motive power was dependent most on the time to accelerate from zero to 96.6km/h (60mph). Hybridising the powertrain reduced the difference in energy use between vehicles with slow (t z - 60 > 8 s) and fast acceleration (t z - 60 < 8 s) times. The cost premium associated with advanced powertrains was dependent most on the powertrain chosen, rather than the performance required. Improving non-powertrain components reduced vehicle road load and allowed total motive capacity to decrease by 17%, energy use by 11%, manufacturing cost premiums by 13% and CO2 emissions abatement costs by 15%. All vehicles with advanced internal combustion engines, most hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains reduced net CO2 emissions and had lower lifetime operating costs than the respective segment reference vehicle. Most powertrains using fuel cells and all electric vehicles had positive CO2 emissions abatement costs. However, only vehicles using advanced internal combustion engines and parallel hybrid vehicles may be attractive to consumers by the fuel savings offsetting increases in vehicle cost within two years. This work demonstrates that fuel savings are possible relative to today's fleet, but indicates that the most cost-effective way of reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is by advanced combustion technologies and hybridisation with a parallel topology. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.