A general solution for the Couette velocity profile is reported. Taylor’s classical one-dimensional profile is shown to be a special case of this solution for configurations whose aspect ratio is large. Numerical evaluation indicates that error between the two profiles is a logarithmic function of the aspect ratio and provides data to estimate when Taylor’s profile should be replaced with the present solution.

• Received 2 June 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.60.6192