Francis Gadala-Maria

Shear‐Induced Structure in a Concentrated Suspension of Solid Spheres

Two novel phenomena were observed in steady and transient shear measurements which were made in a Couette device of a R‐17 Weissenberg Rheogoniometer with suspensions of polystyrene spheres, 40–50 μm in diameter, suspended in a mixture of silicone oils at volume fractions 0⩽φ0.55. When φ⩾0.3, the steady‐shear viscosity at a given shear rate was found to drift for many hours to an asymptotic value which, in contrast to the scatter of the initial measurements, was very reproducible. Again, when φ⩾0.3, the shear stress showed a memory for the direction of previous shearing when the shear was stopped for a while and then restarted with either the same or the opposite sign. Moreover, during oscillatory shear experiments, these suspensions exhibited a nonlinear response which in fact could be predicted from their response to a sudden reversal of the direction of steady shear. It would appear, therefore, that such concentrated two‐phase systems cannot be modeled as isotropic fluids having a scalar effective visc...

Transient normal stress response in a concentrated suspension of spherical particles

The transient normal force response in a concentrated suspension of spherical particles upon startup of shear, following a period of rest, was found to depend on the direction in which shear was restarted. When shear was restarted in the same direction, the normal force signal rapidly grew to its positive steady-state value. However, when shear was restarted in the opposite direction, the normal force signal was initially negative and decreased, within the response time of the instrument, to a negative minimum, from which it gradually increased, passing through zero, to its positive steady-state value. This is believed to be the first experimental confirmation of this phenomenon, which had been suggested by the numerical simulations of previous investigators.

Polyelectrolyte-coated gold nanorods and their interactions with type I collagen

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have unique optical properties for numerous biomedical applications, but the interactions between AuNRs and proteins, particularly those of the extracellular matrix (ECM), are poorly understood. Here the effects of AuNRs on the self-assembly, mechanics, and remodeling of type I collagen gels were examined in vitro. AuNRs were modified with polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) to minimize cytotoxicity, and AuNRs with different terminal polymer chemistries were examined for their interactions with collagen by turbidity assays, rheological tests, and microscopy. Gel contraction assays were used to examine the effects of the PEM-coated AuNRs on cell-mediated collagen remodeling. Polyanion-terminated AuNRs significantly reduced the lag (nucleation) phase of collagen self-assembly and significantly increased the dynamic shear modulus of the polymerized gels, whereas polycation-terminated AuNRs had no effect on the mechanical properties of the collagen. Both polyanion- and polycation-terminated AuNRs significantly inhibited collagen gel contraction by cardiac fibroblasts, and the nanoparticles were localized in intra-, peri-, and extracellular compartments, suggesting that PEM-coated AuNRs influence cell behavior via multiple mechanisms. These results demonstrate the significance of nanoparticle-ECM interactions in determining the bioactivity of nanoparticles.

INFLUENCE OF MORTAR RHEOLOGY ON AGGREGATE SETTLEMENT

This study examined the influence of the rheology of fresh concrete on the settlement of aggregate. Fresh concrete exhibits a yield stress that, under certain conditions, prevents the settlement of coarse aggregate, although its density is larger than that of the suspending mortar. Calculations, based on estimates of the yield stress obtained from slump tests, predict that aggregate normally used in concrete should not sink. To test this prediction, the settlement of a stone in fresh mortar is monitored. The stone does not sink in the undisturbed mortar (which has a high yield stress), but sinks when the mortar is vibrated, presumably because of a large reduction in its yield stress. This implies that during placement of concrete, the aggregate settles only while the concrete is being vibrated. A unique experimental method for measuring aggregate settlement is also introduced and demonstrated.

A unique experimental method for monitoring aggregate settlement in concrete

Abstract A unique experimental method for monitoring the settlement of aggregate in fresh concrete is introduced and demonstrated. Using nuclear medicine techniques, real-time images of aggregate settlement due to vibration are obtained. These images are used to study the rheological properties of the vibrated concrete mix. The technique developed allows the experimental verification of a number of assumptions regarding the rheology of fresh concrete and the implications of the accepted rheological model of fresh concrete. Additionally, the effects of vibration on aggregate settlement are clearly shown, including effects resulting from the location of the vibrator and the size and density of the aggregate.

Normal stress distribution in highly concentrated suspensions undergoing squeeze flow

Using pressure-sensitive films, the normal stress distribution is measured in suspensions of glass spheres in a Newtonian liquid undergoing constant-force squeeze flow. At volume fractions of solids up to 0.55, the normal stress distribution is independent of volume fraction and almost identical to the parabolic pressure distribution predicted for Newtonian fluids. However, at higher volume fractions, the normal stresses become an order of magnitude larger near the center and very low beyond that region. At these high volume fractions, the normal stresses decrease in the outer regions and increase in the inner regions as the squeezing proceeds. The normal stress distribution that results when the glass spheres without any fluid are subjected to squeeze flow is very similar to that for suspensions with volume fractions above 0.55, suggesting that the cause for the drastic changes in the normal stress distribution is the jamming of the particles in the suspension.

Radial filtration in highly concentrated suspensions undergoing constant-force squeeze flow and its effect on the normal stress distribution

Liquid-phase migration and jamming of the suspended particles appear to be the cause of the previously reported drastic changes in the normal stress distribution in concentrated suspensions subjected to squeeze flow as the initial volume fraction is raised above a critical value. Liquid-phase migration was found to depend on the initial volume fraction of solids, the viscosity of the suspending fluid, and the size of the particles. Under some conditions, liquid-phase migration did not take place to any significant degree; however, under other conditions, the volume fraction of solids increased throughout the sample, but especially in the central region, as liquid was expelled from the test region in preference to the solids. Criteria for the occurrence of liquid-phase migration in suspensions undergoing squeeze flow are discussed in terms of dimensionless groups.

Modeling radial filtration in squeeze flow of highly concentrated suspensions

Liquid-phase migration in highly concentrated suspensions undergoing constant-force squeeze flow is modeled numerically by taking into account the time and position dependence of the rheological properties due to changes in the volume fraction of solids. This is done by coupling the equation of motion for a non-Newtonian material that behaves approximately as a Bingham plastic with a continuity equation that includes diffusive flux. The developed model was first tested with experimental data and then used to study the effect of various parameters on liquid-phase migration.