The sedimentation of flexible filaments: Trajectories, particle clouds and a buckling instability
Skip to main content
eScholarship
Open Access Publications from the University of California

UC Davis

UC Davis Previously Published Works bannerUC Davis

The sedimentation of flexible filaments: Trajectories, particle clouds and a buckling instability

Abstract

In this fluid dynamics video we explore an array of different possible dynamics for a flexible filament sedimenting in a viscous fluid. The time-dependent shapes and trajectories of the filament are determined analytically and numerically by balancing viscous, elastic and gravitational forces in a slender-body theory for zero-Reynolds number flows. The dynamics are characterized by a single dimensionless elasto-gravitation number. The video shows the process of filament relaxation and reorientation, the formation of particle clouds, and finally a buckling instability.

Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.

Main Content
For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file to your device.
Current View