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Upper-convected time derivative

Upper-convected time derivative is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Upper-convected time derivative rather than just read about it. In short: In continuum mechanics, including fluid dynamics, an upper-convected time derivative or Oldroyd derivative, named after James G. Oldroyd, is the rate of change of some tensor property of a small parcel of fluid that is written in the coordinate system rotating and stretching with the fluid.

Key takeaways

  • Upper-convected time derivative belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Upper-convected time derivative to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Upper-convected time derivative from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In continuum mechanics, including fluid dynamics, an upper-convected time derivative or Oldroyd derivative, named after James G. Oldroyd, is the rate of change of some tensor property of a small parcel of fluid that is written in the coordinate system rotating and stretching with the fluid. The operator is specified by the following formula:

A ▽ = D D t A − ( ∇ v ) T ⋅ A − A ⋅ ( ∇ v ) {\displaystyle {\stackrel {\triangledown }{\mathbf {A} }}={\frac {D}{Dt}}\mathbf {A} -(\nabla \mathbf {v} )^{T}\cdot \mathbf {A} -\mathbf {A} \cdot (\nabla \mathbf {v} )}

where:

A ▽ {\displaystyle {\stackrel {\triangledown }{\mathbf {A} }}} is the upper-convected time derivative of a tensor field A {\displaystyle \mathbf {A} }

D D t {\displaystyle {\frac {D}{Dt}}} is the substantive derivative

∇ v = ∂ v j ∂ x i {\displaystyle \nabla \mathbf {v} ={\frac {\partial v_{j}}{\partial x_{i}}}} is the tensor of velocity derivatives for the fluid. The formula can be rewritten as:

A ▽ i , j = ∂ A i , j ∂ t + v k ∂ A i , j ∂ x k − ∂ v i ∂ x k A k , j − ∂ v j ∂ x k A i , k {\displaystyle {\stackrel {\triangledown }{A}}_{i,j}={\frac {\partial A_{i,j}}{\partial t}}+v_{k}{\frac {\partial A_{i,j}}{\partial x_{k}}}-{\frac {\partial v_{i}}{\partial x_{k}}}A_{k,j}-{\frac {\partial v_{j}}{\partial x_{k}}}A_{i,k}}

By definition, the upper-convected time derivative of the Finger tensor is always zero. It can be shown that the upper-convected time derivative of a spacelike vector field is just its Lie derivative by the velocity field of the continuum. The upper-convected derivative is widely used in polymer rheology for the description of the behavior of a viscoelastic fluid under large deformations.

Notation The form the equation is written in is not entirely clear due to different definitions for ∇ v {\displaystyle \nabla \mathbf {v} } . This term can be found defined as ( ∇ v ) i j = ∂ v j ∂ x i {\displaystyle (\nabla \mathbf {v} )_{ij}={\frac {\partial v_{j}}{\partial x_{i}}}} or its transpose (for example see Strain-rate tensor containing both). Changing this definition only necessitates changes in transpose operations and is thus largely inconsequential and can be done as long as one stays consistent. The notation used here is picked to be consistent with the literature using the upper-convected derivative.

Examples for the symmetric tensor A

Simple shear For the case of simple shear:

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Upper-convected time derivative

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Upper-convected time derivative claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Upper-convected time derivative before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Upper-convected time derivative ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Upper-convected time derivative

In research
Upper-convected time derivative appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Upper-convected time derivative in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Upper-convected time derivative is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Fluid dynamics, Multivariable calculus, Non-Newtonian fluids, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Upper-convected time derivative outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Upper-convected time derivative in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Upper-convected time derivative means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Upper-convected time derivative out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Upper-convected time derivative in simple terms?

In continuum mechanics, including fluid dynamics, an upper-convected time derivative or Oldroyd derivative, named after James G. Oldroyd, is the rate of change of some tensor property of a small parcel of fluid that is written in the coordinate system rotating and stretching with the fluid.

Why does Upper-convected time derivative matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Upper-convected time derivative?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Upper-convected time derivative.

Tags

  • Fluid dynamics
  • Multivariable calculus
  • Non-Newtonian fluids

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