Numerical approximation of the Womersley problem in OpenFOAM.

Resumo

Replicating the pulsatile blood flow in simulations under various physiological conditions is essential for understanding hemodynamic behavior and its relationship with cardiovascular diseases, as well as for developing innovative clinical approaches. The Womersley number, which describes the relationship between pulsatile flow and mean flow in a blood vessel, directly influences vascular biomechanics. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation provides a detailed analysis of blood flow in three-dimensional models of vessels, allowing for precise representation of vascular geometry and the inclusion of pathological conditions such as stenoses and aneurysms. This study aims to implement the Womersley number in CFD simulations using the OpenFOAM software to model hemodynamic behavior in blood vessels. Cases will be developed to obtain Womersley velocity profiles in different vascular geometries using a periodic pressure difference. Results will be compared with literature data to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the Womersley number application.