# Dynamic similarity (Reynolds and Womersley numbers)

## Derivation

Reynolds number and Womersley number are the only two physical parameters necessary to solve an incompressible fluid flow problem. Reynolds Number is given by: $N_R = {VL{\rho}\over {\mu}}\,\!$

The terms of the equation itself represent the following: $N_R = {\text{Convective Inertial Force}\over \text{Shear Force}}\,\!$ . When Reynolds Number is large, it shows that the flow is dominated by convective inertial effects. When Reynolds Number is small, it shows that the flow is dominated by shear effects. Womersley Number is given by: $N_W = L\sqrt{{\omega}{\rho}\over {\mu}}=\sqrt{N_S}\,\!$ . Which is simply the square-root of Stokes Number, the terms of the equation itself represents the following: $N_W = {\text{Transient Inertial Force}\over \text{Shear Force}}\,\!$ . When Womersley Number is large(around 10 or greater), it shows that the flow is dominated by oscillatory inertial forces and that the velocity profile is flat. When the Womersley parameter is low, viscous forces tend to dominate the flow, velocity profiles are parabolic in shape, and the center-line velocity oscillates in phase with the driving pressure gradient.[1]

Starting with Navier–Stokes equation for Cartesian flow:

${\rho} \left (\frac{{\partial}u}{{\partial}t}+u\frac{{\partial}u}{{\partial}x}+v\frac{{\partial}u}{{\partial}y}+w\frac{{\partial}u}{{\partial}z}\right )= {\rho}g-\frac{{\partial}P}{{\partial}x}+{\mu}\left( \frac{{\partial^2}u}{{\partial}x^2}+\frac{{\partial^2}v}{{\partial}y^2}+\frac{{\partial^2}w}{{\partial}z^2}\right)\,\!$

The terms of the equation itself represent the following:

$\text{transient inertial forces + convective inertial forces}=\text{gravitational force + Pressure force + viscous forces}\,\!$ [2]

Ignoring gravitational forces and dividing the equation by density (ρ) yields:

$\left (\frac{{\partial}u}{{\partial}t}+u\frac{{\partial}u}{{\partial}x}+v\frac{{\partial}u}{{\partial}y}+w\frac{{\partial}u}{{\partial}z}\right )= -\frac{{\partial}P}{{\partial}x}+{\nu}\left( \frac{{\partial^2}u}{{\partial}x^2}+\frac{{\partial^2}v}{{\partial}y^2}+\frac{{\partial^2}w}{{\partial}z^2}\right)\,\!$

Where ν is the kinematic viscosity of the fluid and is given from the equation ${\nu} = {{\mu}\over {\rho}}\,\!$. Since both Reynolds and Womersley numbers are dimensionless, Navier-Stokes must be represented as a dimensionless expression as well. Choosing V, ω, and L as a characteristic velocity, frequency, and length respectively yields dimensionless variables: Dimensionless Length Term(same for y' and z'):$x' = {x\over L}\,\!$ , Dimensionless Velocity Term (same for v' and w'): $u' = {u\over V}\,\!$, Dimensionless Pressure Term: $P' = {P\over {{\rho}V^2}}\,\!$ , and Dimensionless Time Term: $t' = t{\omega}\,\!$ . Dividing the Navier-Stokes equation by ${{\rho}V^2}\over {L}\,\!$ (Convective Inertial Force term) gives:

$\frac{{N_W}^2}{N_R} \left (\frac{{\partial}u'}{{\partial}t'}+u'\frac{{\partial}u'}{{\partial}x'}+v'\frac{{\partial}u'}{{\partial}y'}+w'\frac{{\partial}u'}{{\partial}z'}\right )= -\frac{{\partial}P'}{{\partial}x'}+\frac{1}{N_R}\left( \frac{{\partial^2}u'}{{\partial}x'^2}+\frac{{\partial^2}v'}{{\partial}y'^2}+\frac{{\partial^2}w'}{{\partial}z'^2}\right)\,\!$

With the addition of the dimensionless continuity equation (seen below) in any incompressible fluid flow problem the Reynolds and Womersley Numbers are the only two physical parameters that are in the two equations $\frac{{\partial}u'}{{\partial}x'}+\frac{{\partial}v'}{{\partial}y'}+\frac{{\partial}w'}{{\partial}z'}=0 \,\!$ [3]

## Dynamic similarity use

When there are two geometrically similar vessels (same shape, different sizes) with the same boundary conditions (ex. No-slip, center-line velocity) and the same Reynolds and Womersley numbers then the flows will be identical using the two previously derived equations. This can be seen from inspection of the Navier-Stokes equation, with geometrically similar bodies, equal Reynolds and Womersley Numbers the functions of velocity (u’,v’,w’) and pressure (P’) for any variation of flow.[4]

## Boundary layer thickness

Reynolds and Womersley Numbers are also used to calculate the thicknesses of the boundary layers that can form from the fluid flow’s viscous effects. Reynolds number is used to calculate the convective inertial boundary layer thickness that can form, and Womersley number is used to calculate the transient inertial boundary thickness that can form. From the Womersley Number it can be shown that the transient inertia force is represented by ${\rho}{\omega}V\,\!$, and from the last term in the non-modified Navier-Stokes equation that viscous force is represented by ${\mu}{V^2}\over {\delta}_1^2\,\!$ (subscript one indicates that the boundary layer thickness is that of the transient boundary layer). Setting the two forces equal to each other yields: ${\rho}{\omega}V={{\mu}{V^2}\over {\delta}_1^2}\,\!$ Solving for ${\delta}_1\,\!$ yields: ${\delta}_1=\sqrt{{\mu}\over {\rho}{\omega}}\,\!$ Adding a characteristic length (L) to both sides gives the ratio: ${L\over{\delta}_1}=L\sqrt{{\rho}{\omega}\over {\mu}} =L\sqrt{{\omega}\over {\nu}}=N_W \,\!$ Therefore it can be seen that when the flow has a high Womersley Number the transient boundary layer thickness is very small, when compared to the characteristic length, which for circular vessels is the radius. As shown earlier the convective inertial force is represented by the term ${\rho}{V^2}\over L\,\!$ , equating that to the viscous force term yields: ${{\rho}{V^2}\over L}={{\mu}{V^2}\over {{\delta}_2^2}}\,\!$ Solving for the convective boundary layer thickness yields: ${\delta}_2=\sqrt{{\mu}L\over {\rho}V}\,\!$ Factoring in a characteristic length gives the ratio: ${L\over{\delta}_2}=\sqrt{{\rho}VL\over {\mu}} =\sqrt{{\nu}VL}=\sqrt{N_R} \,\!$ From the equation it is shown that for a flow with a large Reynolds Number there will be a correspondingly small convective boundary layer compared to the vessel’s characteristic length.[5] By knowing the Reynolds and Womersley Numbers for a given flow it is able to calculate both transient and convective boundary layer thicknesses, and relate them to a flow in another system. Boundary layer thickness is also useful in knowing when the fluid can be treated as an ideal fluid. This is at a distance that is larger than both boundary layer thicknesses.[6]

## References

1. ^ Ku, David N. "Blood Flow in Arteries," Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 1(1969)223:44.
2. ^ Fung, Yuan-cheng. "Biomechanics: Circulation," Dynamic Similarity, "New York: Springer", 2(2008)130:134.
3. ^ van de Vosse, Frans M. "Pulse Wave Propagation in the Arterial Tree.," Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 43(2011)467:499.
4. ^ Jones, Robert T. "Blood Flow," Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 1(1969)223:244.
5. ^ Skalak, Richard. "Biofluid Mechanics," Annual Review Fluid Mechanics, 21(1989)167:204.
6. ^ Taylor,M G. "Hemodynamics," Annual Review of Physiology, 35(1973)87:116.