A general solution for Stokes flow and its application to the problem of a rigid plate translating in a fluid

A general solution for 3D Stokes flow is given which is different from, and more compact than the exist ing ones and more compact than them in that it involves only two scalar harmonic functions. The general solution deduced is combined with the potential theory method to study the Stokes flow induced by a rigid plate of arbitrary shape trans lating along the direction normal to it in an unbounded fluid. The boundary integral equation governing this problem is derived. When the plate is elliptic, exact analytical results are obtained not only for the drag force but also for the ve locity distributions. These results include and complete the ones available for a circular plate. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the main results for circular and ellip tic plates. In particular, the elliptic eccentricity of a plate is shown to exhibit significant influences.