Abstract
The propagation of waves generated by an imposed sinusoidal pressure gradient in non-Newtonian fluids contained in clastic tubes is studied, theoretically and experimentally. Theoretically this system is specified by the equations of motion for a micropolar fluid and those for an clastic membrane, together with suitable boundary conditions. The experimental set-up consists of a piston. which is set in harmonic motion at the start of the experiment, at one end of a fluid-filled PVC tube. The fluids used are 2 and 1 per cent CMC solutions, 70 per cent glycerine–water solution and water.
The velocity of wave propagation measured in the experiment is compared with the Moens-Korteweg velocity for inviscid fluids and the corresponding velocity for purely viscous fluids derived by Morgan and Kiely. Asymmetric initial wave forms are observed experimentally and are studied theoretically with the help of the method of characteristics.
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