Wall Pressure and Shear Stress Variations in a 90-Deg Bifurcation During Pulsatile Laminar Flow

Abstract

Wall pressure distribution and shear stress fields for pulsatile laminar flow in a 90-degree bifurcation with rectangular cross sections are evaluated using the results of the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equation. The extent of the adverse pressure gradient on the bottom wall of the main duct and the upstream wall of the branch closely correlate to the behavior of the two dynamic recirculation zones which are formed on these two walls. Multiple zones of high and low shear stresses at various sites in the bifurcation are observed. The extent of the fluctuations of the maximum and minimum shear stress is identified. Next-to-the-wall laser Doppler anemometer velocity measurements are used to estimate the shear stress distribution on the walls. In general, qualitative agreement between the experimental and computed wall shear stress values is observed. The variation of the wall shear stress in the vicinity of the branch is discussed in light of the highly perturbed flow field.