Author ORCID Identifier
Muhammad Abdullah: 0000-0001-9338-2631
Shravan Pradeep: 000-0001-7483-2385
Becca Thomases: 0000-0001-8502-8915
P.E. Arratia: 0000-0002-2566-2663
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-30-2026
Publication Title
Physical Review Letters
Abstract
Yield-stress fluids only flow above a critical stress. Here, we observe the emergence of a distinct, elasticity-driven flow state in a yield-stress fluid in the absence of inertia. Numerical simulations show that this elastoplastic turbulent state is characterized by non-Gaussian bimodal velocity distribution and a broad spectrum of velocity and stress fluctuations. Results show a nonmonotonic relationship between the volume fraction of the unyielded flow and plasticity. Surprisingly, the system can fluidize near the emergence of the elastoplastic turbulent state. Our results reveal the complex interplay between elasticity and plasticity in simple shear flows, indicating that plasticity can mobilize the flow rather than arrest it. These findings are relevant for the flow and stability of muds, clays, and soft materials in general.
Keywords
Nonlinear dynamics in fluids, Rheology, Shear flows, Turbulence, Non-Newtonian fluids
Volume
137
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Rights
Licensed to Smith College and distributed CC-BY 4.0 under the Smith College Faculty Open Access Policy.
Version
Author's Accepted Manuscript
Recommended Citation
Abdullah, Muhammad; Pradeep, Shravan; Jerolmack, Doug J.; Thomases, Becca; and Arratia, Paulo E., "Emergence of Purely Elastoplastic Turbulence in Shear Flows" (2026). Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/mth_facpubs/217