Numerical studies on locomotion perfromance of fish-like tail fins

Abstract

Flapping plates of typical fishlike tail shapes are simulated to investigate their locomotion performance using the multi-block Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) and Immersed Boundary (IB) method. Numerical results show that fishlike forked configurations have better locomotion performance compared with unforked plates. Based on our results, the caudal fin in carangi-form mode has greater thrust, and the lunate tail fin in thunniform mode has higher efficiency. These findings are qualitatively consistent with biological observations of fish swimming. Analysis of wake topology shows that the wake of the forked plate consists of a chain of alternating reverse horseshoe-like vortical structures. These structures induce a backward jet and generate a positive thrust. Moreover, this backward jet has a more favorable direction compared with that behind an unforked plate.