Abstract

An empirical correlation for the onset of turbulence in physiological pulsatile flow is presented. We pumped three different test fluids of kinematic viscosity 0.008–0.035 cm2/s through four straight tubes 0.4–3.0 cm in diameter. A Scotch yoke mechanism provided an oscillatory sine wave flow component of known stroke volume and frequency. We adjusted the mean flow independently until we detected signal instabilities from hot film wall shear stress probes. The critical peak Reynolds number was found to correlate with the Womersley parameter and the Strouhal number as a power law function with a root-mean-square (rms) error of 15.2%. Experimental measurements of the laminar velocity profile are compared to theoretical predictions from Poiseuille’s law and Womersley’s solution.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.