Oscillating Couette flow for in vitro cell loading.
Synovial joints are loaded by weight bearing, stretching, and fluid-driven shear. To simulate in vitro fluid-driven shear, we developed an "oscillating Couette flow mechanical shear loader". Oscillating Couette flow mimics relative motion of articular surfaces; hence, characterizing flow-induced shear by the loader enhances understanding of mechanotransduction in the joint tissue. Here, the analytical and computational models for an oscillating Couette flow were used to predict time-varying shear distribution on a plate surface, applying numerical simulation to evaluate the effects of finite plate dimension in a 2D flow. Shear stress on the plate was significantly different from that in simpler models (unbounded plates and viscous low-frequency flow). High-stress spots appeared near the leading and trailing edges of a moving plate, and a relatively uniform shear region was restricted to the interior area. Stress prediction in an example experimental geometry is presented, where the frequency and finite width effects are feasibly accounted.
Nalim
Razi
R
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan Street, SL 260, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. mnalim@iupui.edu
Pekkan
Kerem
K
Sun
Hui Bin
HB
Yokota
Hiroki
H
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013314:Stress, Mechanical