Simulation of blood flow in a stenosed and bifurcating artery using Finite Volume Methods and OpenFOAM

Abstract

The article focuses on the shear-thinning and viscoelastic constitutive modelling and numerical simulation of blood flow in a stenosed and bifurcating artery. Specifically, the shear-thinning and viscoelastic behaviour of blood are modelled and implemented via the Oldroyd-B and Generalized Oldroyd-B constitutive models. A robust and efficient general purpose numerical (and computational) methodology for the simulation of blood flow in a stenosed and bifurcating artery is also developed and implemented. The numerical algorithm is developed more generally to resolve the mathematical model equations arising out of the all-encompassing Generalized Giesekus constitutive model. This model reduces to the Generalized Oldroyd-B model and subsequently also to the standard Oldroyd-B model simply by switching off certain material parameters. The inclusion of the Generalized Giesekus model must therefore be viewed in this context, to facilitate the development of an all encompassing general purpose numerical code. The blood flow modelling is otherwise done via the Oldroyd-B and Generalized Oldroyd-B constitutive models. The shear-thinning effects are implemented via the Cross model for shear-viscosity. The Generalized Oldroyd-B model results all illustrate that the velocity is directly proportional to the constriction caused by the stenosis. The higher the blockage from the constriction, the higher would the velocity spurt through the constriction. This velocity behaviour correspondingly enhances the wall shear-stresses as the constriction increases, caused by the presence of the stenosis. High wall shear-stresses greatly increase the possibility of rupture of the stenosis. This can lead to catastrophic consequences in the usual case where the stenosis is caused, say, by tumor growth. As demonstrated near the contraction of a standard 4:1 contraction flow geometry, dramatic fluid flow effects, which are attributable to the polymeric-stresses, specifically to the first normal stress difference, are observed in the vicinity of the constrictions resulting from the presence of the stenosis. Such effects, include, flow recirculation and reversal, vortex formation, and spurt phenomena.