Propulsive Performance of Flexible Fin with Fluid-Structure Interaction Study

Abstract:

Fluid-structure interaction (FSI), which solves the coupling between solid and fluid, has more and more been adopted by researchers to better study interaction between the hydrodynamic and structural flexibility. In this paper we adopt FSI and study a model simplified from the pectoral fin of Koi Carp. Flexibility is a comprehensive assessment of soft structures, it not only relates to the material constitutive parameter, but also relates to the apparent morphology parameter. The Young’s modulus and moment of inertia are two typical parameters. In this paper we first investigate the Young’s modulus’ effect on the propulsive performance, the fluid structures are analyzed and the motions are presented, then we discuss the moment of inertia, their thrust forces are compared. Results show that proper flexibility can greatly increase the thrust forces while too flexible fin’s behavior is worse. Moreover, the bending stiffness, a uniform parameter combines the material property and morphology parameter, is explored. It is found out that even for the same bending stiffness, different couples of Young’s modulus and moment of inertia will lead to different propulsive performance. These findings will provide a useful guidance for the design and manufacture of novel flexible underwater bio-mimetic vehicles.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 461)
• Pages: 271-277
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.461.271
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Bo Liu, Min Xu, Lei Wang, Jie Yang, Shi Wu Zhang
• Keywords: Bending Stiffness, Flexible Pectoral Fin, Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI), Moment of Inertia, Thrust Force, Young's Modulus

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