Turbulent forced convection in a heat exchanger square channel with wavy-ribs vortex generator

Turbulent forced convective heat transfer and flow con figurations in a square channel with wavy-ribs inserted diagonally are examined numerically. The in fluences of the 30° and 45° flow attack angles for wavy-ribs, blockage ratio, R B= b/H = 0.05–0.25 with single pitch ratio, R P= P/H = 1 are investigated for the Reynolds number based on the hydraulic diameter of the square channel, Re = 3000–20000. The use of the wavy-ribs, which inserted diagonal in the square channel, is aimed to help to improve the thermal performance in heat exchange systems.The finite volume method and SIMPLE algorithm are applied to the present numerical simulation. The results are presented on the periodic flow and heat transfer pro files, flow con figurations, heat transfer characteristics and the performance evaluations. The mathematical results reveal that the use of wavy-ribs leads to a higher heat transfer rate and friction loss over the smooth channel. The heat transfer enhancements are around 1.97–5.14 and 2.04–5.27 times over the smooth channel for 30° and 45° attack angles, respectively. However, the corresponding friction loss values for 30° and 45° are around 4.26–86.55 and 5.03–97.98 times higher than the smooth square channel, respectively. The optimum thermal enhancement factor on both cases is found at R B= 0.10 and the lowest Reynolds number, Re = 3000, to be about 1.47 and 1.52, respectively, for 30° and 45° wavy-ribs.

A review of down-hole tubular string buckling in well engineering

Down-hole tubular string buckling is the most classic and complex part of tubular string mechanics in well engineering. Studies of down-hole tubular string buckling not only have theoretical significance in revealing the buckling mechanism but also have prominent practical value in design and control of tubular strings. In this review, the basic principles and applicable scope of three classic research methods （the beam-column model, buck- ling differential equation, and energy method） are intro- duced. The critical buckling loads and the post-buckling behavior under different buckling modes in vertical, inclined, horizontal, and curved wellbores from different researchers are presented and compared. The current understanding of the effects of torque, boundary condi- tions, friction force, and connectors on down-hole tubular string buckling is illustrated. Meanwhile, some unsolved problems and controversial conclusions are discussed. Future research should be focused on sophisticated description of buckling behavior and the coupling effect of multiple factors. In addition, active control of down-hole tubular string buckling behavior needs some attention urgently.

The Mixed-Mode Fatigue Crack Propagation Model of Piezoelectric Materials Under Electric Fatigue Loading by the Jk-Integral

The electric fatigue load has a significant effect on the crack propagation behavior and failure life of piezoelectric materials and devices. In this paper, an electrical mixed-mode fatigue crack propagation model for piezoelectric materials is proposed based on the piezoelectric Jk-integral theory. The crack initiation, propagation, and life prediction criteria of piezoelectric materials under electric fatigue loading are given by this model, and the finite element simulation model is established to study the electrical mixed-mode crack propagation behavior of piezoelectric structures. Meanwhile, the electrical mixed-mode fatigue crack propagation model is applied to the fatigue crack propagation behavior of a piezoelectric typical defective structure, the crack–hole interference model. The mixed-mode crack propagation, fatigue life, and the interference behavior between the crack and hole at various hole locations of the crack–hole interference model are well recognized by this model. The crack propagation behavior under different electrical load intensities is also considered. The results show that the hole in front of the crack tip inhibits crack propagation to a certain extent, and the strength of electrical load affects the fatigue life of piezoelectric materials and structures. Therefore, the proposed electrical mixed-mode fatigue crack propagation model provides a reference for predicting the mixed-mode fatigue crack propagation behavior and fatigue life of piezoelectric structures under electric fatigue loading.

Coupling electro-mechanical behaviors in the interdigital electrode device of ferroelectrics

The electro-mechanical coupling behaviors of ferroelectric devices with interdigital electrodes may become complicated due to the material inhomogeneity and local field concentration under the complex working conditions.In this paper,a ferroelectric model,drawn from the typical interdigital electrode structure of a ferroelectric sensor,is established based on phase field theory,to study the polarization evolution and explore the evolution laws in ferroelectrics.Numerical results show that there appears ferroelectric creep even under an applied electric field below the coercive field value.Also,the configurational force theory is introduced to investigate the mechanical behaviors related to polarization switching in the ferroelectric samples with interdigital electrodes.It is found that configurational force and polarization have similar evolution laws in both time evolving and space distribution.And considering the configurational force as the driving force,it is possible to predict the potential direction of polarization evolution and explore its evolution mechanism in ferroelectrics,demonstrating the configurational force as a useful parameter for describing mechanical behavior during the polarization evolution and a powerful tool for investigating the evolution mechanism of microstructure with coupling effects in ferroelectric materials.