INFLUENCE OF FLOW RATE AND AXIAL POSITION ON SHEAR STRESSES

To locate the maximum and mean turbulent shear stresses in both time and space, and to determine how shear stresses depend on the flow rate and downstream measuring planes of the artificial heart valves, this study was carried out. Maximum and mean turbulent shear stresses estimated at 0.5D downstream of the valves showed a direct relationship with flow rate both in the Jellyfish and St. Vincent valves. The magnitude of both mean and maximum shear stresses in the Jellyfish valve was found to be higher than that of the St. Vincent valve at 0.5 and 1D downstream of the Jellyfish valve. Maximum shear stresses were found in close vicinity to the valve where highly disturbed flow with steep velocity gradients were observed.