Rivulet flow over a flexible beam

TL;DR

This paper investigates the coupled dynamics of a thin liquid film flowing over a flexible beam, revealing how the beam's deformation influences flow behavior through theoretical modeling and experimental validation.

Contribution

It introduces a combined lubrication and elastica model to describe flow-beam interactions, providing new insights into the feedback mechanism affecting flow spreading and beam deflection.

Findings

Flow follows different power-law regimes over time.

Theoretical predictions match experimental observations.

Beam deformation significantly accelerates liquid spreading.

Abstract

We study theoretically and experimentally how a thin layer of liquid flows along a flexible beam. The flow is modelled using lubrication theory and the substrate is modelled as an elastica which deforms according to the Euler-Bernoulli equation. A constant flux of liquid is supplied at one end of the beam, which is clamped horizontally, while the other end of the beam is free. As the liquid film spreads, its weight causes the beam deflection to increase, which in turn enhances the spreading rate of the liquid. This feedback mechanism causes the front position ${\sigma}$(t) and the deflection angle at the front ${\phi}$(t) to go through a number of different power-law behaviours. For early times, the liquid spreads like a horizontal gravity current, with ${\sigma}$(t) = $t^{4/5}$ and ${\phi}$(t) = $t^{13/5}$. For intermediate times, the deflection of the beam leads to rapid acceleration of the liquid layer, with ${\sigma}$(t) = $t^4$ and ${\phi}$(t) = $t^9$. Finally, when the beam has sagged to become almost vertical, the liquid film flows downward with ${\sigma}$(t) = $t$ and ${\phi}$(t) ~ ${\pi}$/2. We demonstrate good agreement between these theoretical predictions and experimental results.