Oscillatory Flow in Curved Pipes of Rectangular Cross-section : 1st Report, Numerical Analysis of Laminar Flow in Square-sectioned Pipes

Abstract

Numerical solutions are presented of an oscillatory laminar flow in curved pipes of square cross-section over a wide range of parameters, i.e., Dean number D and dimensionless frequency α. Velocity profiles, stream lines of a secondary flow and distributions of wall shearing stresses are calculated and the effects of D and α on the flow pattern are made clear. Depending on D and α, one to three pairs of vortices which vary periodically are induced in the cross section. The relation between the kinetic energy of the secondary flow and the influence of the curvature on the flow is discussed.