Bifurcation of a Main Steady-State Viscous Fluid Flow in a Plane Divergent Channel

The evolution of steady-state viscous incompressible fluid flows in a plane divergent channel is investigated. For the classical formulation of the Jeffery-Hamel problem a complete solution is given as a function of the determining parameters. For a fixed angle of divergence the behavior of the main unimodal flow is determined as a function of the Reynolds number. Critical values at which the flow pattern bifurcates and the steady-state unimodal flow ceases to exist are found. The mechanism of bifurcation is established and its diagram is constructed. This mechanism and the diagram were not previously known in the scientific literature in connection with the investigation of the Jeffery-Hamel problem. The critical Reynolds number at which bifurcation occurs is given as a function of the channel divergence angle. The results may be of interest for hydromechanical, technological, and geophysical applications.