Numerical simulations of steady flow inside a three dimensional aortic bifurcation model

A finite element formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations for three dimensional flow is presented. The equations are solved using the finite element method. The model is constructed from a cast of a human aortic bifurcation. The numerical problems introduced by solving the equation system are discussed and special attention is paid to the selection of the linear equation solver. The simulations of the steady blood flow patterns in an aortic bifurcation is shown. The results of the numerical analysis are presented as three dimensional plots of velocity vectors, wall shear vectors, streamlines and pressure isobars. The flow simulations are done for Reynolds number 10. The flow patterns found in the bifurcation model are discussed in connection with proposed theories to explain the event of early atherosclerosis.