Flow past an axisymmetric body embedded in a saturated porous medium

The problem of viscous fluid past an axisymmetric body embedded in a fluid saturated porous medium is studied using the Brinkman's extension. A general formula for the drag on the body is derived in the form of a limit of an expression involving the stream function characterizing the flow. The flow past an axisymmetric approximate sphere is also considered. The stream function in this case is obtained in terms of Bessel functions and Gegenbauer's functions. The drag acting on the body is evaluated by using the formula derived. Its variation is studied with respect to geometric and permeability parameters. The special cases of flow past a sphere and a spheroid are obtained from the present analysis. To cite this article: D. Srinivasa Charya, J.V. Ramana Murthy, C. R. Mecanique 330 (2002) 417–423.