International Journal of Multiphase Flow, Vol.34, No.5, 477-483, 2008
Probability model of solid to liquid-like transition of a fluid suspension after a shear flow onset
The complexity of interactions of different origin between particles in dense fluid suspensions limits application of the concepts of classical mechanics for finding a relation between individual particles dynamics, and the macroscopic dynamic response. For this reason, the probability model of suspension flow after a shear flow onset is proposed that incorporates our certain lack of understanding of environments effects. These effects are identified in the model with the random rate of particles arrival to flow. The multiplication rule is used to sweep from the individual particles to the entire system. The resulting probability of the system shift to flow represents well the measured boundary position, separating the flowing suspension from its solid-like state, and proves thus the appropriate choice of representation of the particle interaction effects. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.