CFD simulation of flow features and vorticity structures in tuna-like swimming

Abstract

The theoretical research on the propulsive principle of aquatic animal becomes more important and attracted more researchers to make efforts on it. In the present study, a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of a three-dimensional traveling-wave undulations body of tuna has been developed to investigate the fluid flow features and vorticity structures around this body when moving in a straight line. The undulation only takes place in the posterior half of the fish, and the tuna-tail is considered as a lunate fin oscillating with the mode combined swaying with yawing. A Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation is developed, employing a control-volume method and a k-omega SST turbulent model; meanwhile an unstructured tetrahedral grid, which is generated for the three-dimensional geometry, is used based on the deformation of the hind parts of the body and corresponding movement of the tail. We calculated the hydrodynamic performance of tuna-like body when a tuna swims in a uniform velocity, and compared the input power coefficient, output power coefficient and propulsive efficiency of the oscillating tuna-tail with or without body vortex shedding. Additionally, the load distribution on the body, flow features and vorticity structures around the body were demonstrated. The effect of interaction between the body-generated vortices and the tail-generated vorticity on the hydrodynamic performance can be obtained.