Numerical solutions for the time-dependent viscous flow between two rotating coaxial disks

Abstract

The nature of the steady-state viscous flow between two large rotating disks has often been discussed, usually qualitatively, in the literature. Using a version of the numerical method described in the preceding paper (Pearson 1965), digital computer solutions for the time-dependent case are obtained (steady-state solutions are then obtainable as limiting cases for large times). Solutions are given for impulsively started disks, and for counter-rotating disks. Of interest is the fact that, at high Reynolds numbers, the solution for the latter problem is unsymmetrical; moreover, the main body of the fluid rotates at a higher angular velocity than that of either disk.