Peristaltic transport in an elastic tube under the influence of dilating forcing amplitudes

Abstract

We investigate flow through an elastic tube which is constrained to a prescribed external forcing consisting of a progressive travelling wave. Such a flow dynamics is closely related to that in the oesophageal tube. The mechanics of the tube is characterized by a relationship between transmural pressure difference and radial variation of the tube. Dimensionless radial variation, assumed to be small, is studied by perturbation techniques. Results demonstrate that the elasticity of the tube plays a significant role in the flow dynamics. An increment in the forcing amplitude of the inward radial force enhances pressure, time-Averaged volume flow rate and hence axial and radial velocities. It is revealed that the elastic nature of the oesophageal tube favors swallowing. © 2020 World Scientific Publishing Company.