Modeling arterial blood flow using radial basis functions

<p>Investigation into the mechanics of blood flow in arteries helps provide insight into the mechanism of cardiovascular disease. As experimental measurements can be difficult, it is of interest to apply numerical simulation to the problem. This thesis examined fluid flow in arteries using a meshless method, namely radial basis functions with a time integration technique. Since meshless methods do not require the time consuming step of connective mesh generation, interest has grown about applying them in fluid dynamics. The method was implemented and verified using MATLAB. Cases involved axisymmetric, pulsatile flow of a Newtonian and power-law fluid both with rigid and distensible tube walls. The method was shown to be a close approximation for the Newtonian rigid and distensible wall case, but showed some inconsistencies when applying the power-law fluid. The study found that in particular, shape parameters were important to determining the accuracy and consistency of the solution. In summary, the meshless method was found to be a close initial approximation but further work is needed to improve accuracy and consistency of the method.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Acres, Jacqueline M

Contributors dc:contributor

• Darrell Pepper, Chair
• William Culbreth
• Hui Zhao

• Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/857

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:thesesdissertations-1858