Fluid Mechanics

Dr. M. Azam Saeed

University of Engineering and Technology

Lahore, Faisalabad Campus
A large artery in a dog has an inner radius of 4.0010-3 m. Blood flows
through the artery at the rate of 1.0010-6 m3.s-1. The blood has a
viscosity of 2.08410-3 Pa.s and a density of 1.06103 kg.m-3.

Calculate:
(i) The average blood velocity in the artery.
(ii) The Reynolds number for the blood flow.

Briefly discuss each of the following:

(iii) The velocity profile across the artery (diagram may be helpful).
(iv) The pressure drop along the segment of the artery.
(v) The significance of the value of the Reynolds number calculated
in part (ii).
Solution

radius R = 4.0010-3 m

volume flow rate Q = 1.0010-6 m3.s-1

viscosity of blood  = 2.08410-3 Pa.s

density of blood  = 1.06010-3 kg.m-3

(i) Equation of continuity: Q = A v

A =  R2 =  (4.0010-3)2 = 5.0310-5 m2

v = Q / A = 1.0010-6 / 5.0310-5 m.s-1 = 1.9910-2 m.s-1

(iii) Reynolds Number
Re =  v L /  where L = 2 R (diameter of artery)
Re = (1.060103)(1.9910-2)(2)(4.0010-3) / (2.08410-3)
Re = 81
use diameter not length
(iii) Parabolic velocity profile: velocity of blood zero at sides of artery

(iv) Viscosity  internal friction  energy dissipated as thermal energy 

pressure drop along artery

(v) Re very small  laminar flow (Re < 2000)

Flow of a viscous newtonain fluid through a pipe

Velocity Profile

Cohesive forces
between molecules 
layers of fluid slide past
each other generating
frictional forces 
energy dissipated (like Parabolic velocity
rubbing hands together) profile

Adhesive forces between fluid and surface  fluid

stationary at surface