Two-layer falling film of equal-density viscous fluids

Let the lower fluid have thickness $h$ and viscosity $\mu$, and the upper fluid thickness $\alpha h$ and viscosity $\beta \mu$, with common density $\rho$. For steady flow down a plane inclined at angle $\theta$, set $H=(1+\alpha )h$, $A=\rho g\sin \theta /\mu$. The common hydrostatic pressure is $p_{\mathrm{atm}}+\rho g\cos \theta (H-y)$. No slip at the wall, continuous velocity and shear stress at $y=h$, and zero upper surface shear give $u_1=A(Hy-y^2/2)$ and $u_2(h+z)=A{h}^2(\alpha +1/2)+(A/\beta )(\alpha hz-z^2/2)$. These follow by integrating ${\mu }_i{u}_i^{\prime \prime }=-\rho g\sin \theta$ in each layer. The stress applied to the lower fluid equals the downslope weight of the upper layer, independent of its viscosity; the upper viscosity affects its shear rate but not that transmitted stress.