Fluid mechanics
Fluid mechanics is a branch of physics and engineering that studies the behavior of fluids (liquids and gases) in motion and at rest. It involves understanding how fluids interact with forces and with solid boundaries, how they flow, and how they respond to changes in pressure and temperature. Fluid mechanics is typically divided into two main areas: 1. **Fluid Statics**: This area focuses on fluids at rest.
Shock waves
Shock waves are a type of disturbance that moves faster than the local speed of sound in a medium. They can occur in various contexts, including physics, engineering, and even biology. Here are some key points about shock waves: ### Characteristics: 1. **Supersonic Speed**: Shock waves propagate at supersonic speeds, meaning they travel faster than the speed of sound in the medium through which they are moving.
Bending of plates
Bending of plates refers to the deformation that occurs in thin, flat structures—often referred to as plates—when they are subjected to external loads, moments, or forces. This phenomenon is a crucial aspect of structural engineering and mechanical engineering, as it affects the performance and integrity of various structures, such as beams, bridges, and airplane wings. The bending of plates can be analyzed using different theories, depending on the thickness of the plate and the nature of the applied loads.
Bending stiffness
Bending stiffness, often referred to as flexural stiffness, is a measure of a material's resistance to bending when a load is applied. It quantifies how much a structure or element will deform (or deflect) under a given bending moment. The concept is particularly important in engineering and materials science, especially when designing beams, structural components, and various engineering applications where bending is a primary mode of stress.
Cauchy number
The term "Cauchy number" can refer to different concepts depending on the context in which it is used, but it is most commonly associated with a specific sequence in mathematics related to the study of permutations and combinatorial structures.
Clausius–Duhem inequality
The Clausius-Duhem inequality is a fundamental principle in thermodynamics and continuum mechanics that expresses the second law of thermodynamics in a differential form. It serves as a mathematical statement of the irreversibility of thermodynamic processes and the concept of entropy production. In simple terms, the inequality can be stated as follows: \[ \frac{dS}{dt} \geq 0 \] where \( S \) is the entropy of a system.
Dilatant
Dilatant is a term used to describe a specific type of non-Newtonian fluid that exhibits an increase in viscosity when subjected to shear stress or agitation. In simpler terms, a dilatant fluid becomes thicker or more solid-like when it is stirred, shaken, or otherwise disturbed. This behavior is in contrast to other non-Newtonian fluids, such as shear-thinning fluids (also known as pseudoplastic fluids), which decrease in viscosity when subjected to shear.
Dynamic design analysis method
The **dynamic design analysis method (DDAM)** is a structured approach used in design analysis, particularly in fields like engineering, architecture, and product development. This method involves understanding and assessing the dynamic behavior of systems or components over time, especially in response to various external factors such as loads, vibrations, or operational conditions.
Dynamic substructuring
Dynamic substructuring is a modeling and simulation technique used in structural dynamics to analyze complex systems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable substructures. This approach allows engineers and researchers to study large structures or mechanical systems more efficiently by analyzing each part individually and then combining their responses to predict the overall behavior of the entire system. The main features of dynamic substructuring include: 1. **Modularity**: Complex systems can be represented as a combination of simpler substructures.
Eigenstrain
Eigenstrain is a concept in the field of solid mechanics and material science that refers to a type of internal strain in a material that results from microstructural changes, such as phase transformations, dislocation movement, or other alterations in the material's microstructure, rather than from external loads or boundary conditions. Unlike ordinary strains that occur due to external forces applied to a material, eigenstrains are 'internal' and are typically associated with specific regions or features within the material.
Ensemble (fluid mechanics)
In fluid mechanics, the term "ensemble" can have several interpretations depending on the context in which it's used, particularly in statistical mechanics and turbulence studies. 1. **Statistical Mechanics Context**: In statistical mechanics, an ensemble refers to a large collection of systems, each representing a possible state of a physical system.
Enstrophy
Enstrophy is a concept used in fluid dynamics and turbulence theory to quantify the intensity of vorticity in a fluid. It is defined mathematically as the integral of the square of the vorticity over a given volume. The vorticity itself is a vector field that represents the local rotation of the fluid, and is defined as the curl of the velocity vector field.
Ferrofluid
Ferrofluid is a unique type of fluid that contains nanoscale magnetic particles (typically iron-based) suspended in a carrier liquid, which is usually an oil or water. When exposed to a magnetic field, these tiny magnetic particles become magnetized and can cause the fluid to exhibit distinctive behaviors, such as forming spikes or other patterns along magnetic field lines.
Finite element method
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical technique used to find approximate solutions to complex engineering and mathematical problems, particularly those involving partial differential equations. It divides a large system into smaller, simpler parts called finite elements. Here’s a more detailed overview: ### Key Concepts: 1. **Discretization**: FEM begins by breaking down a complex shape or domain into smaller, simpler pieces called finite elements (e.g.
Flexural strength
Flexural strength, also known as bending strength, is a material property that measures a material's ability to withstand bending forces without failure. It is defined as the maximum stress a material can endure when subjected to an external bending load before it fractures or deforms plastically. In practical terms, flexural strength is often determined through standardized testing methods, such as the three-point or four-point bending tests, where a specimen is subjected to a transverse load until it fails.
Flow plasticity theory
Flow plasticity theory is a framework used in materials science and engineering to describe the behavior of materials that undergo plastic deformation when subjected to stress. It is often applied to metals, polymers, and soils, among other materials. ### Key Concepts of Flow Plasticity Theory: 1. **Plastic Deformation**: This refers to the permanent deformation that occurs when a material is subjected to stress beyond its yield point. Unlike elastic deformation, which is reversible, plastic deformation leads to a permanent change in shape.
Flow velocity
Flow velocity refers to the speed at which a fluid (liquid or gas) moves through a specific area or along a path. It is typically measured in units such as meters per second (m/s) or feet per second (ft/s). Flow velocity is an important parameter in fluid dynamics and is influenced by factors such as the properties of the fluid, the size and shape of the conduit through which it flows, and the pressure differences that drive the flow.
Fluid parcel
A fluid parcel refers to a small, defined volume of fluid that is considered as a single entity for the purpose of analysis in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics. This concept is commonly used in studies of fluid flow, atmospheric science, oceanography, and various engineering applications. Key characteristics of a fluid parcel include: 1. **Fixed Volume**: Although the fluid parcel is typically small, its volume is treated as constant during the analysis, simplifying calculations related to mass, density, and flow properties.
Föppl–von Kármán equations
The Föppl–von Kármán equations are a set of nonlinear partial differential equations that describe the large deflections of thin plates and shells in mechanical engineering and structural analysis. These equations extend the classical linear plate theory by accounting for nonlinear effects due to large deformations, making them especially useful for analyzing structures under significant loads.
Hydrostatic stress
Hydrostatic stress refers to the state of stress in a material where the stress is uniformly distributed in all directions. It is a type of stress that occurs when a material is subjected to equal pressure from all sides. In a hydrostatic stress condition, the normal stresses acting on the material are equal, while the shear stresses are zero.