International Journal of Physics | Vol. 2, No. 8, August 2011 | pp. 60–67
DOI: 10.46882/2011/IJP/000020
Article Type: Original Research Paper
Title: Numerical Modelling of Fluid-Structure Interaction in Magnetohydrodynamic Channel Flows Under Non-Uniform Magnetic Fields
Names of Authors: I. J. Umar¹, P. A. Novak²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria; ²Department of Mechanical Engineering, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Abstract: Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) channel flows are central to developing liquid-metal cooling blankets for nuclear fusion reactors and electromagnetic pumps. This investigation presents a numerical model analyzing the fluid-structure interactions of an incompressible, viscous, electrically conducting fluid flowing through a deformable channel under a non-uniform transverse magnetic field. The coupled system balances the Navier-Stokes equations, Maxwell's electromagnetic equations, and elastic structural deformation mechanics, resolved using a monolithic finite-element solver. The magnetic Hartmann number (Ha) was varied up to 150 to observe changes in velocity profiles and wall shear stresses. Our simulations demonstrate that entering a localized magnetic field zone induces M-shaped velocity profiles and strong electric current loops within the fluid. These current paths generate a counteracting Lorentz force that suppresses turbulence intensity by up to 65%. However, the non-uniform magnetic gradients cause a localized pressure drop and introduce structural bending stresses along the thin channel walls, with peak stress scaling quadratically with the magnetic field intensity. This evaluation underscores the importance of structural wall reinforcement in regions featuring sharp magnetic transitions to prevent mechanical fatigue in high-field fluid handling systems.
Keywords: Magnetohydrodynamics; Fluid-structure interaction; Finite-element method; Hartmann number; Lorentz force; Velocity profiles; Channel flow; Fusion cooling.
Manuscript Timeline: Received: May 19, 2011; Revised: June 30, 2011; Accepted: July 22, 2011; Published: August 14, 2011.
Citation: Umar, I. J., & Novak, P. A. (2011). Numerical Modelling of Fluid-Structure Interaction in Magnetohydrodynamic Channel Flows Under Non-Uniform Magnetic Fields. International Journal of Physics, 2(8), 60–67.
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