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Fracture patterns in viscoplastic gravity currents

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Ball, Thomasina, Balmforth, Neil J., Dufresne, Ariel P. and Morris, Stephen W. (2022) Fracture patterns in viscoplastic gravity currents. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 934 . A31. doi:10.1017/jfm.2021.961 ISSN 0022-1120.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2021.961

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Abstract

Constant-flux gravity currents of viscoplastic fluid remain axisymmetric when extruded onto a dry horizontal plane. However, if the plane is coated with a shallow layer of water, the current suffers a dramatic non-axisymmetric instability in which localized v-shaped cuts appear in the outer edge where the viscoplastic fluid is in contact with water. These ‘fractures’ lengthen and guide the subsequent radial outflow, leading to distinctive flower-like patterns. This pattern formation process is illustrated for two viscoplastic materials, an aqueous suspension of Carbopol, and a mixture of water and joint compound (a kaolin-based, commercially available product). The fracturing spreads over the entire upper surface of the current when deeper water baths are used, complicating the extrusion patterns. The instability can be removed entirely when the ambient water layer is replaced by an immiscible liquid of comparable viscosity, indicating that the presence of water at the surface is key to the pattern formation process. We conjecture that the underlying mechanism is the fracture under tension of the viscoplastic material, exacerbated by the ambient water.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics
Q Science > QC Physics
Divisions: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Mathematics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Viscoplasticity, Fluid mechanics -- Mathematical models, Density currents, Gravity
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISSN: 0022-1120
Official Date: 10 March 2022
Dates:
DateEvent
10 March 2022Published
19 January 2022Available
26 October 2021Accepted
Volume: 934
Article Number: A31
DOI: 10.1017/jfm.2021.961
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Reuse Statement (publisher, data, author rights): This article has been published in a revised form in Journal of Fluid Mechanics https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2021.961. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution or re-use. © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit: 20 January 2022
Date of first compliant Open Access: 19 July 2022

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