A numerical and analytical study on a tail-flapping model for fish fast C-start

Abstract

The force production physics and the flow control mechanism of fish fast C-start are studied numerically and theoretically by using a tail-flapping model. The problem is simplified to a 2-D foil that rotates rapidly to and fro on one side about its fixed leading edge in water medium. The study involves the simulation of the flow by solving the two-dimensional unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations and employing a theoretical analytic modeling approach. Firstly, reasonable thrust magnitude and its time history are obtained and checked by fitting predicted results coming from these two approaches. Next, the flow fields and vortex structures are given, and the propulsive mechanism is interpreted. The results show that the induction of vortex distributions near the trailing edge of the tail are important in the time-averaged thrust generation, though the added inertial effect plays an important role in producing an instant large thrust especially in the first stage. Furthermore, dynamic and energetic effects of some kinematic controlling factors are discussed. For enhancing the time-averaged thrust but keeping a favorable ratio of it to time-averaged input power within the limitations of muscle ability, it is recommended to have a larger deflection amplitude in a limited time interval and with no time delay between the to-and-fro strokes.