Eur. Phys. J. E (2008) 26: 81-89
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2007-10286-0

ISMC-2007

Simulations of two-dimensional foam rheology: Localization in linear Couette flow and the interaction of settling discs

¹ Institute of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3BZ, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
² UMR 5588 - Laboratoire Spectrométrie Physique, B.P. 87, F-38402, St. Martin d'Hères Cedex, France

^* e-mail: foams@aber.ac.uk

Received: 19 September 2007
Accepted: 31 January 2008
Published online: 11 April 2008

Abstract

Surface Evolver simulations of flowing two-dimensional foams are described. These are used for two purposes. Firstly, to extract the location of the T ₁ s, the changes in bubble topology that occur during plastic flow. It is shown that in linear Couette flow the T ₁ s are localized in space, becoming more so as the polydispersity of the foam decreases. Secondly, the sedimentation of two circular discs through a foam under gravity is studied. If the discs are sufficiently close, they begin to interact and one moves behind the other during their descent.