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In the present research, we evaluated the printability of inks that were formulated using an acrylate-endcapped urethane-based poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel precursor (AUP) and a silicate-based nanoclay Laponite. Flow characterization of the AUP/ Laponite hydrogel inks revealed both yielding and shear thinning behavior, strongly dependent on the concentrations of the AUP and Laponite. In order to have a better insight into printability, the flow behavior along the cross section inside the printing needle was evaluated from the experimental shear flow data. The maximum stress values estimated inside the needle were applied to investigate the structural recovery of the inks using oscillatory rheology. Close analysis of the shear modulus recovery of the AUP/Laponite inks revealed a biexponential behavior, indicating a two-step recovery mechanism. The recovery mechanism is composed of fast and slow recovery steps and it appears that the shape fidelity after ink deposition is primarily controlled by the fast recovery contribution. Optimal printability was achieved for the ink formulation with the shortest characteristic time as well as a high modulus (>500 Pa) compared to the inks which could not be printed into well-defined structures. In the final part, cell interactivity of the three-dimensional (3D)-printed scaffolds was evaluated via live/dead cell assays.

Abstract The aging behavior of TEMPO-CNF suspensions is investigated using rheological measurements and experiments involving the free-falling solid sphere. The properties of CNF suspensions, which are formed of water and cellulose fibers with a large aspect ratio, are fundamentally different from those commonly known as model low-density gels. We characterize their aging utilizing SAOS rheometry following a period of shear rejuvenation, measuring the effect of aging time on the observed stress overshoot, and additionally measure the rheological hysteresis under continuous shear. In addition to such tests, which probe the sample at the bulk level, we study their local aging behavior via the Stokes’ experiment. During SAOS, the aging of the material results in a logarithmic growth of the elastic modulus over the first 50 minutes. In the Stokes’ experiment, depending on the sphere size, we find a systematic decrease in the sphere velocity with aging times up to 16 days and identify a range of intermittent particle motion. Based on our experimental evidence, we propose that the aging effect within the TEMPO-CNFs occurs due to the restructuring of fibrous elements by Brownian diffusion and that the aging of the system does not develop homogeneously across the whole sample as a consequence of the wide size distribution of CNFs. Finally, we note that this may be one of the primary reasons why the rheological data on even the same batch of CNFs show a large scatter. Graphical abstract

Crystal plasticity experiments consider fundamental physics of complex systems. With simulations, statistical analysis is performed on nanopillar compression. With the statistical data this thesis has done research for better understanding of the structure to yield stress relation. This thesis considers tantalum polycrystal nanopillar compression with two datasets. First of the two datasets considers 20 nm midway diameter Ta nanopillars with different grain sizes and indenter velocities. From the research done with the first dataset, there seems to be two regimes for the yield stress dependency on the grain size. For the average grain size larger than roughly 35 nm there seems to be a high dependency on the yield stress if the grain size is modified. If the grain size is increased, the yield stress increases, approaching the monocrystal yield stress. For grain sizes smaller than that, there seems to be almost no effect on the yield stress when it comes to modifying the grain size. With statistical analysis on another dataset, which considers 20 nm to 50 nm midway diameter Ta nanopillars, it is also proven that statistical analysis is necessary to draw reliable conclusions. This is proven by a fact that a similar study, with some differences, but still more than enough in common with this research, has different conclusions with single samples than with this study has with a statistical analysis.

Amorphous solids such as coffee foam, toothpaste or mayonnaise display a transient creep flow when a stress $\Sigma$ is suddenly imposed. The associated strain rate is commonly found to decay in time as $\dot{\gamma} \sim t^{-\nu}$, followed either by arrest or by a sudden fluidisation. Various empirical laws have been suggested for the creep exponent $\nu$ and fluidisation time $\tau_f$ in experimental and numerical studies. Here, we postulate that plastic flow is governed by the difference between $\Sigma$ and the transient yield stress $\Sigma_t(\gamma)$ that characterises the stability of configurations visited by the system at strain $\gamma$. Assuming the analyticity of $\Sigma_t(\gamma)$ allows us to predict $\nu$ and asymptotic behaviours of $\tau_f$ in terms of properties of stationary flows. We test successfully our predictions using elastoplastic models and published experimental results.

Processing, stability and sensorial perception of food foams are tightly related to their microstructure and flow behavior. Characterization of corresponding physical parameters is central for product development and quality control. An experimental setup enabling in-situ characterization of yield stress, gas volume fraction and bubble size distribution at different heights within a foam column created in a commercial whipping device is presented. Reliable determination of these quantities is shown. Foams made from regular and reconstituted milk have been investigated. Gas volume fraction and bubble size increase monotonically during free drainage. Related to the changes in these parameters, the yield stress increases strongly during initial drainage and weaker in mature foams. Gradients of the structural and rheological parameters along the direction of gravity increase over time. Yield stresses in these milk foams are as predicted from phenomenological modelling including the above parameters, emphasizing the reliability of the measurement setup.

Thixotropic structural build-up is an intrinsic property of fresh cementitious materials, playing a significant role in pumpability, stability and formwork filling of concrete, as well as buildability in 3D printing. This paper presents a critical review on the thixotropic structural build-up of cement-based materials from the viewpoints of origins, evaluation methods, influencing factors and applications. Recent research indicates that the origin of structural build-up of cementitious materials is a combining result of colloidal interactions and chemical hydration, with three stages of colloidal network percolation, rigid percolation and rigidification. The evolution of static yield stress and storage modulus can be used to evaluate the structural build-up of fresh cementitious materials, each describing different aspects. Increasing particle volume fraction, decreasing surface coverage and reducing maximum packing fraction exhibit a positive effect on the increase in the structural build-up. Based on the relationships with performance parameters, the thixotropic structural build-up can be used to predict formwork casting, numerical simulations and 3D concrete printing. Furthermore, on-demand stiffening can be obtained by magneto-controlled structural build-up of cementitious materials containing magnetizable particles.

This work deals with secondary instabilities in a Taylor-Couette flow with a wide gap in the case of shear-thinning fluids. Theoretical, experimental and numerical approaches are used. From theoretical point of view, a weakly nonlinear analysis has been done to account for the nonlinear effects of constitutive law on the flow structure of the Taylor Vortex Flow (TVF) regime. The shear-thinning behavior of the fluid are characterized by the Carreau model. Significant effects of shear-thinning have been demonstrated: Taylor vortices are smaller in size and shifted toward the inner cylinder. The radial outflow jet is thinner and stronger than the radial inflow jet. This asymmetry leads to an increase of the radial inflow zone. These changes in the flow structure are probably the origin of the secondary instabilities of Taylor vortices observed experimentally and numerically. The experimental setup consist of two coaxial cylinders where the inner cylinder is rotating and the outer one is at rest. The radius ratio is $eta = 0.4$ and the aspect ratio is $L = 32$. The fluids used are aqueous xanthan gum solutions at different concentrations and aqueous glycerol solution as a reference Newtonian fluid. The flow structure is analyzed through the visualization and by the 2D PIV velocity measurements. For the aqueous glycerol solution, once the primary bifurcation is reached at $Re = Re_c$, the stationary TVF regime remains stable up to practically $Re = 7 Re_c$. From this values the Taylor vortices lose its stability with respect to azimuthal disturbances. In the case of the aqueous xanthan gum solutions the values of the Reynolds number from which the Taylor vortices appear are in agreement with a linear theory as for the case of Newtonian fluid. By increasing the Reynolds number, the Taylor vortices become unstable, but with respect to axial disturbances. There instabilities can be considered as generalized Eckhaus instabilities. They are characterized by the continuous processes of creation and merging of vortices. The increase in the number of axial positions where these processes occur leads to the chaotic flow (phase turbulence). It should be noted that the stronger shear-thinning effects, the smaller the range of stable TVF regime. These results have been confirmed by a 2D numerical simulation of unsteady conservation equations, using PDE solver Freefem++. The case of shear-thinning with a stress-yield was started as well, focusing on the particular case when the unyielded zone is attached to the outer cylinder., On s’intéresse aux instabilités secondaires dans un écoulement de Taylor-Couette en grand entrefer pour un fluide rhéofluidifiant. Des études théorique, expérimentale et numérique ont été mises en œuvre. D’un point de vue théorique, une analyse faiblement non linéaire a été développée en régime dit TVF (Taylor Vortex Flow) pour rendre compte des premiers effets de la non linéarité de la loi de comportement sur la structure de l’écoulement. Le comportement rhéologique du fluide est décrit par le modèle de Carreau. Des effets significatifs du caractère rhéofluidifiant ont été mis en évidence : Les rouleaux de Taylor ont une taille plus petite et sont écrasés contre le cylindre intérieur. Le jet radial sortant est plus fin et beaucoup plus intense que le jet radial entrant. Par conservation de débit, la zone de jet radial entrant est plus étendue. Ces modifications sont probablement à l’origine des instabilités des rouleaux de Taylor observées expérimentalement et numériquement. Le dispositif expérimental utilisé est constitué de deux cylindres coaxiaux, où le cylindre intérieur est en rotation et le cylindre extérieur est fixe. Le rapport des rayons est $eta = 0.4$ et le rapport d’aspect $L = 32$. Les fluides utilisés sont des solutions de xanthane à différentes concentrations ainsi qu’une solution de glycérole, comme fluide newtonien de référence. La structure de l’écoulement est déterminée par visualisation et par mesures de vitesse par PIV 2D. Pour la solution de glycérole, après la bifurcation primaire à $Re = Re_c$, le régime TVF stationnaire reste stable jusqu’à pratiquement $7 Re_c$. A partir de cette dernière valeur, les rouleaux de Taylor perdent leur stabilité vis-à-vis de perturbations azimutales. Dans le cas des solutions de xanthane, les valeurs du nombre de Reynolds à partir desquelles, les rouleaux de Taylor apparaissent sont en accord avec la théorie linéaire comme dans le cas Newtonien. En augmentant le nombre de Reynolds, les rouleaux de Taylor deviennent instables, mais cette-fois-ci vis-à-vis de perturbations axiales. Ces instabilités peuvent être considérées comme des instabilités d’Eckhaus généralisées. Elles se caractérisent par un processus récurrent de création et d’appariement de rouleaux. L’augmentation du nombre de sites où se produit ce processus conduit à un écoulement chaotique (turbulence de phase). Il convient de noter que plus les effets rhéofluidifiants sont importants, et plus la gamme de Re où le régime TVF est stable, est réduite. Ces résultats ont été confirmés par une simulation numérique 2D des équations de conservation instationnaires, en utilisant le solveur de FreeFem++. Le cas des fluides rhéofluidifiants avec seuil de contrainte a été entamé , en se focalisant sur le cas particulier où il existe une zone non-cisaillée attachée au cylindre extérieur.

In this thesis, the solid/flowing transition in yield-stress fluids is investigated using laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. The results obtained from the fluid mechanics study are then applied to the dynamics of magmatic systems. The aims are to evaluate how the transition depends on the fluid structure and its elasticity, what ingredients are needed to describe mathematically this transition and fluid motion, and when this description will break down. Two systems have been chosen for the simplicity of their dynamics in Newtonian fluids and their relevance to geological systems: (1) the motion of a solid sphere, and (2) the development of thermal plumes. Case (1) regards the experimental work on the free-fall of a sphere through a mixture of water and superabsorbent gel grains. The aim here is to investigate the influence that the size of particles which build up the structure of the fluid has on the dynamics of a spherical intruder. Case (2) is instead approached through numerical simulations that combine viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity together. The role of elasticity on the overall deformation of the fluid is characterized. Results are afterwards applied to crustal magmatic reservoirs in which both small scale phenomena (such as the motion of bubbles and melt pockets) and larger scale phenomena (deformation on the top of an entire magmatic chamber) are examined.; Cette thèse étudie la transition solide/fluide dans les fluides à contrainte-seuil, en utilisant des expériences de laboratoire et des simulations numériques. Les résultats obtenus à partir de l’étude de mécanique des fluides sont ensuite appliqués à la dynamique des systèmes magmatiques. Les objectifs sont d’évaluer comment la transition dépend de la structure du fluide et de son élasticité, quels sont les ingrédients nécessaires pour décrire mathématiquement cette transition et le mouvement du fluide, et dans quelles conditions cette description n’est plus valide. Deux systèmes ont été choisis pour la simplicité de leur dynamique dans le cas Newtonien et leur pertinence pour les systèmes géologiques: (1) le mouvement d’une sphère solide, et (2) le développement des panaches thermiques. Dans le premier cas, on a caractérisé expérimentalement la chute libre d’une shère dans un mélange aqueux de gels superabsorbants. L’objectif est ici d’étudier l’influence de la taille des grains de gel qui constituent la structure du fluide sur la dynamique de l’intrusion sphérique. Dans le second cas, l’approche utilisée est numérique, avec des simulations combinant les effets viscoplastiques et viscoélastiques. Le rôle de l’élasticité sur la déformation du fluide est ainsi caractérisé. Les résultats sont ensuite appliqués aux réservoirs magmatiques dans la croûte terrestre, où sont examinés les phénomènes à petite échelle (le mouvement des bulles de gaz et des poches de liquide fondu dans la chambre magmatique) et à grande échelle (la remontée d’un diapir magmatique et la déformation de la croûte au dessus de la chambre magmatique).

In this thesis, the solid/flowing transition in yield-stress fluids is investigated using laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. The results obtained from the fluid mechanics study are then applied to the dynamics of magmatic systems. The aims are to evaluate how the transition depends on the fluid structure and its elasticity, what ingredients are needed to describe mathematically this transition and fluid motion, and when this description will break down. Two systems have been chosen for the simplicity of their dynamics in Newtonian fluids and their relevance to geological systems: (1) the motion of a solid sphere, and (2) the development of thermal plumes. Case (1) regards the experimental work on the free-fall of a sphere through a mixture of water and superabsorbent gel grains. The aim here is to investigate the influence that the size of particles which build up the structure of the fluid has on the dynamics of a spherical intruder. Case (2) is instead approached through numerical simulations that combine viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity together. The role of elasticity on the overall deformation of the fluid is characterized. Results are afterwards applied to crustal magmatic reservoirs in which both small scale phenomena (such as the motion of bubbles and melt pockets) and larger scale phenomena (deformation on the top of an entire magmatic chamber) are examined.; Cette thèse étudie la transition solide/fluide dans les fluides à contrainte-seuil, en utilisant des expériences de laboratoire et des simulations numériques. Les résultats obtenus à partir de l’étude de mécanique des fluides sont ensuite appliqués à la dynamique des systèmes magmatiques. Les objectifs sont d’évaluer comment la transition dépend de la structure du fluide et de son élasticité, quels sont les ingrédients nécessaires pour décrire mathématiquement cette transition et le mouvement du fluide, et dans quelles conditions cette description n’est plus valide. Deux systèmes ont été choisis pour la simplicité de leur dynamique dans le cas Newtonien et leur pertinence pour les systèmes géologiques: (1) le mouvement d’une sphère solide, et (2) le développement des panaches thermiques. Dans le premier cas, on a caractérisé expérimentalement la chute libre d’une shère dans un mélange aqueux de gels superabsorbants. L’objectif est ici d’étudier l’influence de la taille des grains de gel qui constituent la structure du fluide sur la dynamique de l’intrusion sphérique. Dans le second cas, l’approche utilisée est numérique, avec des simulations combinant les effets viscoplastiques et viscoélastiques. Le rôle de l’élasticité sur la déformation du fluide est ainsi caractérisé. Les résultats sont ensuite appliqués aux réservoirs magmatiques dans la croûte terrestre, où sont examinés les phénomènes à petite échelle (le mouvement des bulles de gaz et des poches de liquide fondu dans la chambre magmatique) et à grande échelle (la remontée d’un diapir magmatique et la déformation de la croûte au dessus de la chambre magmatique).

Rheology control is essential during the period in which cement and concrete pastes are encountered in the fresh state, due to the fact that it directly affects workability, initial placement and the structural performance of the hardened material. Optimizations of clinker formulations and reductions in cement-to-water ratios induced by economic and environmental considerations have a significant effect in rheology, which invokes the need for mechanistic models capable of describing the effect of multiple relevant phenomena on the observed paste flow. In this work, the population balance framework was implemented to develop a model able to relate the transient microstructural evolution of cement pastes under typical experimental conditions with its macroscopic rheological responses. Numerical details and performance are assessed and discussed. It was found that the model is capable of reproducing experimentally observed flow curves by using measured cluster size distribution information. It is also able to predict the complex rheological characteristics typically found in cement pastes. Furthermore, a spatially resolved scheme was proposed to investigate the nature of flow inside a parallel-plates rheometer geometry with the objective of assessing the ability of the model of qualitatively predicting experimentally observed behavior and to gain insight into the effect of possible secondary flows.

The determination of rheological and mechanical material properties becomes a challenge when the availability of material is limited to a few (milli)grams. This miniaturized testing is hampered by the contradicting requirements of small sample sizes (and thus surface areas) and sufficiently large generated torques and forces. In this paper we provide a feasible methodology to determine the relevant material parameters in terms of processing and mechanical performance starting from 30 mg of material, using micropillars with a diameter of 1 mm. Complex viscosity in small amplitude oscillatory shear as the relevant parameter for thermoconformation processes is determined by means of eccentric rheometry. Herein, the sample is placed off-centered, which results in an increase in the generated torque without the need for increasing the size of the sample. By combining experimental data and numerical simulations, we show that the choice of the pillar aspect ratio is essential to maintain a homogeneous sample deformation and thus to extract correct rheological parameters. Values obtained with eccentric rheometry collapse with those obtained from standard rheometry. The intrinsic mechanical behavior is evaluated at room temperature and the yielding kinetics is studied. The methodology developed here can be extended to other systems and testing conditions, allowing a full material characterization in the liquid as well as in the solid state with only 30 mg of material.

Soft and semisolid states of fine-grained soils and clay minerals (FGS-CMs) are frequently dealt with during execution of infrastructure projects located in the coastal areas, analysis of natural hazards, and mineral processing. In most of these cases, the FGS-CMs flow like a slurry, and hence determination of their rheological characteristics becomes essential. However, test methods and approaches available for determining the rheological behavior of the FGS-CMs when they transform from the solid to the liquid state are yet to evolve. This study uses a parallel-plate rheometer, which is widely used for rheological characterization of complex fluids (i.e., fluids which exhibit yield stress), to determine the rheological parameters (i.e.,yield stress, T-y, and strains) of the FGS-CMs with a consistency near the liquid limit. A critical analysis of the existing protocols that are used to determine T-y and their applicability to FGS-CMs is conducted. The constant shear-rate (CSR) test, when conducted at low shear-rate, yields the most accurate T-y of FGS-CMs. Subsequently, the results are used to develop a generalized relationship which explains the variation of the T-y of the FGS-CM with the consistency represented as water content normalized with respect to the liquid limit. Furthermore, to understand the nature of strains that develop during the preyielding regime of FGS-CMs, creep-relaxation (CR) tests are conducted by imposing stress equivalent to different fractions of T-y. The results from CR tests were utilized in the development of a novel methodology to determine the elastic component of the shear modulus, G(E), of FGS-CMs. This study reveals that FGS-CMs behave as a linear elastoplastic material in the preyield stage, contrary to the much expected purely elastic response, providing a new insight in the realm of contemporary geomechanics. (C) 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.

A natural emulsion was used to create a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) gel with elastic properties, indicated by shear elastic moduli between 102 and 105 Pa. The elasticity of the gel network was provided from a 2D-gel network of proteins which were naturally adsorbed at the interface of an oil-in-water emulsion formed after aqueous extraction of oil bodies from sunflower seeds. Extensive centrifugation of the obtained emulsion resulted in a stable ultrahighly concentrated emulsion with an oil volume fraction of 0.91 and a protein content of 2.5 wt% only. This high volume fraction of the emulsion cream was achieved due to the large deformability (low rigidity) of the oil body surface. After formation of the HIPE, the rigidity of the interfacial network was increased by addition of small concentrations of Ca2+ and heating at 72 °C for 10 min. This led to aggregation of the interfacial proteins, thereby forming a 2D interfacial gel providing a space-spanning network. The behaviour of the self-supporting gel exhibited increased elastic behaviour, determined by the increased elastic modulus of the interfacial network. The balance between the low rigidity upon formation and the increased rigidity after formation offers a tempting strategy to produce structured solid matter that contains edible hydrophobic liquids. Additionally, the followed procedure is cost-effective and friendly to the environment.

The rheological properties of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), comprising polydisperse aqueous droplets in oil, have been characterized as a function of emulsification time, salt concentration, phase mass fractions and aging. The droplet size distribution and structural details of the emulsion samples were obtained using cryogenic-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) and optical microscopy. For rheological characterisation, amplitude sweep tests performed on HIPE samples with a high mass fraction of dispersed phase (93.5 wt%) show that the strain behavior, especially the yield strain ( e y ) and crossover strain ( e c ), are almost independent of the droplet size and polydispersity. However, emulsions with smaller droplets have higher yield stress ( τ y ) and storage moduli ( G ′ ) values; explanations for these observations, based on the physical properties of the systems are suggested. Furthermore, it is observed that, for constant mass fractions of oil and aqueous phases, the strain behavior is also independent of the salt concentration in the dispersed phase. Our findings indicate that, independently of the salt concentration, the energy requirement for the emulsion to start flowing is greater when smaller droplets are present. Aging studies, performed over a period of 6 months, show no significant change in the rheological properties of the HIPEs. Experimental rheology data is compared to the Princen and Kiss model, and with modified Mougel model (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2011, 50, 10359–10365), giving insight into the critical effects of non-ideality induced by polydispersity in thickened emulsions.

WOS:000347493700077; International audience; This paper is part of a study aiming to define the best way to incorporate recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) in the production of self-compacting concrete (SCC), with a view to reduce the excessive use of natural aggregates, which are a non-renewable resource, and to remove the large quantities of concrete waste generated by demolition. RCA differ from natural aggregates essentially by their lower density, higher water absorption capacity and systematic angularity. Here, the effect on self-compacting ability of replacing natural coarse aggregates (NCA) with coarse RCA in a dry state at the time of mixing is assessed. Starting from a reference SCC incorporating rounded NCA only, three replacement rates were studied: 40%, 60% and 100% by weight. The water amount was adjusted so that the standardized 24-h absorption of RCA was satisfied. The key properties of SCC recommended by European specifications and guidelines (EFNARC), i.e. filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance, were measured in the fresh state, immediately after mixing (t(0)). Shear-dependent properties were also quantified by means of rheological measurements at t(0) and t(0) + 25 min. Through this study are shown and interpreted the difficulties in achieving the self-compacting ability under certain conditions of use of RCA. The experimental results showed that the self-compacting ability criteria were not satisfied, irrespective of the replacement rate of NCA with RCA. This replacement implied an increase in the rheological properties (yield torque and torque in steady-state flow) of concrete. The increased volume of coarse aggregates together with a constant volume of interstitial paste, and the angular shape and rough surface texture of RCA, are the main causes of the alteration of the flow of concrete. Also, the impairment with time of the flow properties of concrete was noted and is due to the movement of water from the interstitial paste towards dry RCA. Such results were supported by the fact that rheological data on RCA concretes were not in agreement with multi-scale models describing the flow of reference concrete as a suspension of spherical occlusions in a viscoplastic phase. Through this study, it is evidenced what to avoid regarding the technical approach envisaged to the RCA incorporation in SCC. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Plumes are known to migrate through the ductile quasi-Newtonian mantle, while dikes fracture and propagate through the solid lithosphere. However, depending on the timescale, the lithosphere presents solid as well as viscous properties. To determine what happens in the complex case, where instabilities propagate through a visco-elastic matrix, we performed a combined study of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. Here we investigate the development of thermal plumes in aqueous solutions of Carbopol, a polymer gel, forming a continuous network of micrometric sponges. This fluid is shear thinning and has a yield-stress σ₀, whereby flow occurs only if the local stress exceeds this critical value σ₀. Below this value, the fluid acts as an elastic solid. The rheological properties of the solutions can be systematically varied by varying the Carbopol concentration. The setup consists of a localized heat-source operated at constant power, placed at the centre of a square tank. Depending on the ratio of the thermally induced stresses and the yield stress, Y₀, three different regimes may be obtained. For low Y₀Yc₂. We show that the critical parameters (Yc₁,Yc₂) strongly depend on the geometry of the heating. Combined temperature and velocity field measurements show that the morphology of the plume resembles a finger, contrary to the mushroom-like shape encountered in Newtonian fluids. Numerical simulations using a purely viscous description, where the rheology of the fluid is described by a regularized Herschel-Bulkley model, are sufficient to capture the plume dynamics. A detailed parametric study shows that the plume dynamics are governed by the interplay between yield stress, buoyancy induced stress and viscous stresses. We identify two non-dimensional parameters: the yield parameter Ψ comparing the buoyancy induced stress to the yield stress, and the Bingham number Bi comparing the yield stress to the viscous stresses. We show that a plume can rise only if both parameters are supercritical, i.e. if buoyancy induced stress and viscous stresses each overcome the yield stress. Therefore the plume may come to a halt before it reaches the surface. We propose scaling laws for the plume stem velocity, temperature and the size of the shear zone in the steady state. We show that the scaling laws describe the behaviour in the plume stem reasonably well, if the yield stress is neglected and only the shear thinning behaviour is taken into account. Applying the non-dimensional parameters to Earth places severe constraints on the strength of mantle and lithosphere. The maximum strength that allows for thermal instabilities to penetrate the lithosphere or upper mantle is in between 100 kPa and 100 MPa, and strongly depends on the size and buoyancy of the anomaly., Des panaches sont connus pour migrer à travers le manteau ductile et quasi-Newtonien ; alors que les dikes se fracturent et se propagent dans la lithosphère solide. Cependant, la lithosphère est en fait visco-élastique. Afin de déterminer ce qui se passe dans ce cas complexe, nous avons réalisé une étude expérimentale et numérique sur le développement de panaches thermiques dans des solutions aqueuses de Carbopol, un gel de polymères formant un réseau continu d'éponges microscopiques. Ce fluide est rhéofluidifiant et présente un seuil de contrainte σ₀, de sorte que l'écoulement ne se produit que si la contrainte locale dépasse cette valeur critique σ₀. En dessous de cette valeur, le fluide agit comme un solide élastique. Les propriétés rhéologiques des solutions peuvent être systématiquement ajustées en variant la concentration de Carbopol. Le dispositif consiste en une source locale de chaleur de puissance constante placée au centre d'une cuve cubique. Selon la valeur du rapport entre la contrainte d'origine thermique et la contrainte seuil, Y₀, on peut observer trois régimes différents. A faible Y₀Yc₂. Nous montrons que les paramètres critiques (Yc₁,Yc₂) dépendent fortement de la géométrie du chauffage. Des mesures simultanées de température et de champs de vitesse montrent que la morphologie du panache ressemble à un doigt, contrairement à la forme de champignon rencontrée dans les fluides newtoniens. Utilisant des simulations numériques avec une description purement visqueuse, où la rhéologie du fluide est décrite par un modèle de Herschel-Bulkley régularisé, sont suffisantes pour rendre compte de la dynamique du panache. Une étude détaillée des paramètres indiquent que la dynamique du panache est gouvernée par la compétition entre la contrainte seuil, la contrainte induite par la flottabilité et les contraintes visqueuses. Nous avons identifié deux paramètres adimensionnés : le paramètre seuil Ψ comparant la contrainte induite par la flottabilité et la contrainte seuil, et le nombre de Bingham Bi comparant la contrainte seuil et les contraintes visqueuses. Un panache ne peut s'élever que si les deux paramètres sont supercritiques, i.e. la contrainte induite par la flottabilité et les contraintes visqueuses sont plus importantes que la contrainte seuil. Par conséquent, le panache peut s'arrêter avant d'atteindre la surface. Des lois d'échelles dans le conduit du panache ont été déterminées pour la vitesse, la température et la taille de la région cisaillée en régime permanent. Elles décrivent raisonnablement le comportement du conduit bien que seul l'effet rhéofluidifiant soit pris en compte. L'application de ces paramètres adimensionnés à la Terre contraignent significativement la limite de plasticité du manteau et de la lithosphère. La contrainte seuil maximale qui permet à une instabilité thermique de pénétrer dans la lithosphère ou le manteau supérieur est entre 100 kPa et 100 MPa, et elle dépend fortement de la taille et de l'anomalie de densité de l'intrusion.

International audience; An approach based on percolation theory is associated to the rigorousness of the two-dimensional (2D) model of close-packed, monodisperse, cylindrical emulsions established by Princen, to obtain an equation to model the dispersed-phase volume fraction (phi) dependence of the storage modulus (G') of highly concentrated emulsions. A first-order Taylor expansion of this general percolation model leads to an expression similar to the three-dimensional (3D) model proposed by Princen and Kiss for real polydisperse emulsions, with a more satisfactory derivation of the function E(phi). Finally, the robustness of this model is tested against different experimental data collected from the literature.

We investigate the time-dependent rheology and slip behaviour of colloidal gels formed under polymer-induced depletion attraction. The shape of the flow curves at low applied shear rates is suggestive of slip, which we confirm using confocal imaging. Time-dependent linear viscoelastic measurements show an unexpected drop of the elastic modulus below the viscous one after a critical time. We present a dynamic phase diagram characterizing the dependence of slip on polymer concentration and colloid volume fraction. Confocal imaging links slip to the restructuring of clusters with time, which leads to a reduction of the number of contacts between the colloidal network and the rheometer surfaces. Such behaviour is shear rate dependent and correlated to changes in the gel structure, which changed from independent small aggregates at high shear rates to percolated clusters at low shear rates.

Peer-reviewed journal article, Applied Rheology

In order to understand the mechanisms whereby the molecules responsible for sensory stimuli are released in the mouth, the aim of this study was to characterise and predict the spreading of semi-solid dairy products between tongue and palate using four complementary approaches, namely sensory analysis, instrumental measurement and analytical and numerical modelling. The products studied were dairy gels, whose physical representation is a yield-stress fluid. In the instrumental approach, spreading in mouth was simulated by a test in which a constant volume of sample was squeezed between two plates. It was performed in two phases, the first phase with a prescribed speed and the second with a prescribed force. The influence of product rheology, interface conditions, forces involved and kinematics of displacement on spreading area were studied by combining the instrumental and modelling approaches. For the dairy gels studied in this work, the consistency K was the most influent parameter on the spreading area. Also worth noting were the good correlations between the results obtained by the sensory, instrumental and modelling approaches. The approach adopted in this study could be used to predict spreading in the mouth of food products or boluses with a rheological behaviour of the yield-stress fluid type. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The magneto-rheological responses of cement paste with nano-Fe3O4 particles are experimentally investigated. The estimated magneto-dynamic force between two neighboring nanoparticles and equilibrium movement velocity of the nanoparticles in cement-based suspensions are calculated. Results show that the nanoparticles have a potential to move to form magnetic clusters when a magnetic field is applied, which creates a sort of agitation effect breaking down the early C-S-H links between cement particles, and thus the corresponding suspensions exhibit liquid-like behavior immediately after applying the magnetic field. The solid-like property of the studied suspensions becomes more dominant with magnetizing time due to the formation of magnetic clusters and the reconstruction of C-S-H bridges. The rheological properties of paste medium exert significant influences on the magneto-rheological responses of cement paste containing nano-Fe3O4 particles. It is revealed that the calculated magnetic yield parameter and nanoparticle movement velocity are useful relevant indicators to evaluate the magneto-rheological effect of cementitious paste.