Pressure driven steady flow in constricted channels of different cross section shapes
Résumé
The influence of the cross-section shape on pressure driven viscous flow through a uniform channel is assessed by presenting analytical flow solutions of velocity distribution, volume flow rate and shear stress for different cross-section shapes. Next, a simplified flow model through a non-uniform constricted channel is formulated which accounts for flow inertia, viscosity and cross-section shape. The model outcome is quantified for different fluids, flows and geometrical properties relevant to physiological flows. It is seen that a commonly applied quasi-one-dimensional (1D) model is not accurate indicating the need to account for the cross-section shape.