Structure of the Set of Stationary Solutions to the Equations of Motion of a Class of Generalized Newtonian Fluids

We investigate the steady-state equations of motion of the generalized Newtonian fluid in a bounded domain Ω⊂RN, when N=2 or N=3. Applying the tools of nonlinear analysis (Smale s theorem, theory of Fredholm operators, etc.), we show that if the dynamic stress tensor has the 2-structure then the solution set is finite and the solutions are C1-functions of the external volume force f for generic f. We also derive a series of properties of related operators in the case of a more general p-structure, show that the solution set is compact if p>3N∕(N+2) and explain why the same approach as in the case p=2 cannot be applied if p≠2. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd