Abstract
The main velocity redistribution in steady flow through curved conduits of shallow rectangular cross-section is considered. Its mechanism is analysed using a mathematical model of steady incompressible laminar flow in coiled rectangular pipes. The transverse transport of main-flow momentum by the secondary circulation is shown to be the principal cause of this velocity redistribution. The importance of the side-wall regions, even in shallow channels, is assessed and the neglect of the influence of the side walls in the commonly applied simplified models of flow through shallow curved channels is shown to be strongly limiting in case of long bends with a rectangular cross-section.

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