Swathi Guda, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in a Sedimenting Suspension

Abstract:  The evolution of the unstable interface between sedimenting particles above and clear fluid below is investigated computationally. Simulations of large numbers of model particles in 3D are easily obtained via dilute-limit point-force particle interactions between a pair of no-slip side walls.  The growth rates for different wave numbers characterizing the developing front are calculated and compared with results from the heavy-over-light instability of miscible fluids.  We also compare with existing experimental results and other simulations from the literature. This is joint work with Svetlana E. Bukharina and Peter J. Mucha.

Advisor: Peter Mucha (UNC)