Abstract. We have studied the flow of suspensions of solid spheres under steady shear using a newly developed flow simulator. For the first time, the complicated interplay between hydrodynamic interactions and solids' variable configuration under flow conditions in which large departures from equilibrium configurations occur can be simulated in full 3D. For volume fractions up to 35%, viscosities have been obtained that are in excellent agreement with experiments reported in the literature.

PACS numbers: 82.70.-y, 47.50.-d, 02.70.-c

Print publication: Issue 3 (20 January 1993)
Received 15 July 1992