Analytical solutions for non-Newtonian fluid flows in pipe-like domains

This paper deals with some unsteady unidirectional transient flows of an Oldroyd-B fluid in unbounded domains which geometrically are axisymmetric pipe-like. An expansion theorem of Steklov is used to obtain exact solutions for flows satisfying no-slip boundary conditions. The well known solutions for a Navier-Stokes fluid, as well as those corresponding to a Maxwell fluid and a second grade one, appear as limiting cases of our solutions. The steady state solutions are also obtained for t --> infinity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.