Spectral and Temporal Characteristics of Post-Stenotic Turbulent Wall Pressure Fluctuations

The power spectral density of turbulent wall pressure fluctuations was measured in a tube downstream of a model arterial constriction. The flow parameters were varied from steady flow to conditions simulating human arterial pulsatile flow. Within the experimental uncertainty (±10 percent in characteristic turbulent frequency, f_o, and ±25 percent in absolute rms pressure fluctuation amplitude), turbulent flow at the peak of systole produces wall pressure fluctuations identical to those of a steady flow at the same Reynolds number.