A Numerical Study on the Deformation of Liquid-Filled Capsules with Elastic Membranes in Simple Shear Flow

Abstract

In this thesis, a hybrid numerical method was developed to study the flow-induced deformation of capsules. In the hybrid method, the immersed boundary concept was developed in the framework of the lattice Boltzmann method, and the multi-block strategy was employed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the simulation. The present method was validated by comparison with many benchmark computations. Based on the numerical model proposed, the transient deformation of capsules, which consist of Newtonian liquid drops enclosed by elastic membranes, in simple shear flow was studied. Effects of membrane bending stiffness, inertia and shear rate on the capsule deformation were investigated.