Thin spray-on liners (TSLs) have been found to be effective for structurally supporting the walls of mining tunnels and thus reducing the occurrence of rock bursts, an effect primarily due to the penetration of cracks by the liner. Surface tension effects are thus important. However, TSLs are also used to simply stabilize rock surfaces, for example, to prevent rock fall, and in this context crack penetration is desirable but not necessary, and the tensile and shearing strength and adhesive properties of the liner determine its effectiveness. We examine the effectiveness of nonpenetrating TSLs in a global lined tunnel and in a local rock support context. In the tunnel context, we examine the effect of the liner on the stress distribution in a tunnel subjected to a geological or mining event. We show that the liner has little effect on stresses in the surrounding rock and that tensile stresses in the rock surface are transmitted across the liner, so that failure is likely to be due to liner rupture or detachment from the surface. In the local rock support context, loose rock movements are shown to be better achieved using a liner with small Young’s modulus, but high rupture strength.

The effects of apparatus-induced dispersion on nonuniform, density-dependent flow in a cylindrical soil column were investigated using a finite-element model. To validate the model, the results with an analytical solution and laboratory column test data were analysed. The model simulations confirmed that flow nonuniformities induced by the apparatus are dissipated within the column when the distance to the apparatus outlet exceeds $3R/2$, where R represents the radius of the cylindrical column. Furthermore, the simulations revealed that convergent flow in the vicinity of the outlet introduces additional hydrodynamic dispersion in the soil column apparatus. However, this effect is minimal in the region where the column height exceeds $3R/2$. Additionally, it is found that an increase in the solution density gradient during the solute breakthrough period led to a decrease in flow velocity, which stabilized the flow and ultimately reduced dispersive mixing. Overall, this study provides insights into the behaviour of apparatus-induced dispersion in nonuniform, density-dependent flow within a cylindrical soil column, shedding light on the dynamics and mitigation of flow nonuniformities and dispersive mixing phenomena.

In this paper, the pricing of equity warrants under a class of fractional Brownian motion models is investigated numerically. By establishing a new nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE) system governing the price in terms of the observable stock price, we solve the pricing system effectively by a robust implicit-explicit numerical method. This is fundamentally different from the documented methods, which first solve the price with respect to the firm value analytically, by assuming that the volatility of the firm is constant, and then compute the price with respect to the stock price and estimate the firm volatility numerically. It is shown that the proposed method is stable in the maximum-norm sense. Furthermore, a sharp theoretical error estimate for the current method is provided, which is also verified numerically. Numerical examples suggest that the current method is efficient and can produce results that are, overall, closer to real market prices than other existing approaches. A great advantage of the current method is that it can be extended easily to price equity warrants under other complicated models.

We consider a generalization of the well-known nonlinear Nicholson blowflies model with stochastic perturbations. Stability in probability of the positive equilibrium of the considered equation is studied. Two types of stability conditions: delay-dependent and delay-independent conditions are obtained, using the method of Lyapunov functionals and the method of linear matrix inequalities. The obtained results are illustrated by numerical simulations by means of some examples. The results are new, and complement the existing ones.

Three typical elastic problems, including beam bending, truss extension and compression, and two-rings collision are simulated with smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) using Lagrangian and Eulerian algorithms. A contact-force model for elastic collisions and equation of state for pressure arising in colliding elastic bodies are also analytically derived. Numerical validations, on using the corresponding theoretical models, are carried out for the beam bending, truss extension and compression simulations. Numerical instabilities caused by largely deformed particle configurations in finite/large elastic deformations are analysed. The numerical experiments show that the algorithms handle small deformations well, but only the Lagrangian algorithm can handle large elastic deformations. The numerical results obtained from the Lagrangian algorithm also show a good agreement with the theoretical values.

We provide an analytic solution of the Rössler equations based on the asymptotic limit $c\to \infty $ and we show in this limit that the solution takes the form of multiple pulses, similar to “burst” firing of neurons. We are able to derive an approximate Poincaré map for the solutions, which compares reasonably with a numerically derived map.

Mathematical modelling has been used to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in countries around the world including Australia and New Zealand. Both these countries have followed similar pandemic response strategies, using a combination of strict border measures and community interventions to minimize infection rates until high vaccine coverage was achieved. This required a different set of modelling tools to those used in countries that experienced much higher levels of prevalence throughout the pandemic.

In this article, we provide an overview of some of the mathematical modelling and data analytics work that has helped to inform the policy response to the pandemic in Australia and New Zealand. This is a reflection on our experiences working at the modelling–policy interface and the impact this has had on the pandemic response. We outline the various types of model outputs, from short-term forecasts to longer-term scenario models, that have been used in different contexts. We discuss issues relating to communication between mathematical modellers and stakeholders such as health officials and policymakers. We conclude with some future challenges and opportunities in this area.

Six patents were secured by E. H. Lanier from 1930 to 1933 for aeroplane designs that were intended to be exceptionally stable. A feature of five of these was a flow-induced “vacuum chamber” which was thought to provide superior stability and increased lift compared to typical wing designs. Initially, this chamber was in the fuselage, but later designs placed it in the wing by replacing a section of the upper skin of the wing with a series of angled slats. We report upon an investigation of the Lanier wing design using inviscid aerodynamic theory and viscous numerical simulations. This took place at the 2005 Australia–New Zealand Mathematics-in-Industry Study Group. The evidence from this investigation does not support the claims but, rather, suggests that any improvement in lift and/or stability seen in the few prototypes that were built was, most probably, due to thicker airfoils than were typical at the time.

Double-masking may be used to reduce the transmission of a virus. If additionally the masks are compressible, with different permeabilities and behaviour under compression, then it may be possible to design a mask that allows for easy breathing under normal breathing conditions, but is relatively impermeable under coughing or sneezing conditions. Such a mask could be both comfortable to wear and effective. We obtain analytical solutions for the steady-state flow-through behaviour of such a double mask under flow-out conditions. The results show that the reduction in permeability required to produce a relatively impermeable mask under high flux expulsion (sneezing) conditions could be achieved using either a single filter compressible mask or two filters with different poroelastic parameters. The parameters can be more easily adjusted using a double mask. For both single- and double-mask cases, there is an abrupt cut off, whereby through-flux levels reduce from a maximum value to zero as pressure drop levels increase beyond a critical value. Additionally, in the double-mask case, there exists a second steady-state solution for particular parameter ranges. This second solution is unlikely to occur under normal circumstances.

Exact solutions are constructed for a class of nonlinear hyperbolic reaction-diffusion equations in two-space dimensions. Reduction of variables and subsequent solutions follow from a special nonclassical symmetry that uncovers a conditionally integrable system, equivalent to the linear Helmholtz equation. The hyperbolicity is commonly associated with a speed limit due to a delay, $\tau $, between gradients and fluxes. With lethal boundary conditions on a circular domain wherein a species population exhibits logistic growth of Fisher–KPP type with equal time lag, the critical domain size for avoidance of extinction does not depend on $\tau $. A diminishing exact solution within a circular domain is also constructed, when the reaction represents a weak Allee effect of Huxley type. For a combustion reaction of Arrhenius type, the only known exact solution that is finite but unbounded is extended to allow for a positive $\tau $.

To compute the maximum speed threshold for helicopters, we model the lift produced by the rotor blades. Using this model, we derive limits for each method traditionally used to alleviate dissymmetry of lift. Additionally, we find the minimum rotor angular velocity required to produce a prescribed lift at a given forward velocity. We derive conditions on the coefficient of lift for helicopter airfoils that maintain altitude. Further considerations are also made with regard to the properties of the air and its effect on helicopter dynamics.