Numerical study of unsteady stenosis flow: parametric evaluation of power-law model

Currently the best indicator for surgical treatment of arteriosclerosis is the degree of stenosis. Although X-ray angiography is currently the standar d, cost and morbidity are distinct disadvantages. By modelling stenosis and studying its bio? fluid mechanics, one can apply its results in the field of arterial disease research. This formed the motivation for this work. A n on-Newtonian (power law) incompressible Navier-Stokes (NS) solver was devel oped using the method of operator splitting and artificial compressibility. The vehicle used is the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical libra ry FASTFLO. The power-law model developed is then used to do a parametric s tudy of the effect of 'n' on blood flow mechanics where `n' is the power in dex that determines the haematocrit of blood. A pulsatile pressure wave ove r a cardiac cycle of a second was used to simulate transient ? ow over a hy pothetical two-dimensional stenotic geometry. By comparing the different ve locity pressure, wall shear stress and viscosity profiles, it has been foun d when 'n' increases, the vortex formation and peak wall shear stress decre ases (magnitudes of <1.5 Pa). Since the formation of vortices and low oscil latory wall shear stress on the stenotic wall is detrimental to the well-be ing of the arterial tract, it can therefore be inferred that there might be a relationship between the diseased state of blood (power law) and early g enesis of atherosclerosis. However, the conclusion of this paper marks the advent of new research directions in this field of study.