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Experimental Investigation of the Flow Structure over a Delta Wing Via Flow Visualization Methods
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Published on: April 23, 2018

The fish tail motion forms an attached leading edge vortex.

Iman Borazjani1, Mohsen Daghooghi

  • 1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA. iman@buffalo.edu

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|February 15, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Fish tails generate significant locomotor forces through a leading edge vortex (LEV) reattachment, a phenomenon previously overlooked in aquatic locomotion. This LEV formation is crucial for efficient fish swimming and force generation.

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Area of Science:

  • Fluid dynamics
  • Biomechanics
  • Ichthyology

Background:

  • The caudal fin is essential for fish locomotion, but the underlying flow dynamics are not fully understood.
  • Leading edge vortex (LEV) reattachment enhances forces in aerial locomotion but has not been reported in fish swimming.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and impact of leading edge vortex (LEV) reattachment on fish tails.
  • To determine the influence of tail shape and swimming kinematics on LEV formation and its effect on locomotor forces.

Main Methods:

  • Three-dimensional high-resolution numerical simulations of self-propelled virtual swimmers.
  • Analysis of flow patterns and vortex dynamics at different Strouhal numbers.
  • Comparison of LEV formation across various tail shapes and swimming kinematics.

Main Results:

  • The first evidence of leading edge vortex (LEV) reattachment at the fish tail leading edge was observed.
  • LEV reattachment occurs at natural swimming Strouhal numbers (approx. 0.25) but not at higher Strouhal numbers (approx. 0.6).
  • LEV evolution significantly alters tail pressure distribution and generated forces; delta shape is not essential for LEV reattachment.

Conclusions:

  • Leading edge vortex (LEV) reattachment is a critical mechanism for force generation in fish swimming.
  • Fish-like kinematics can stabilize LEVs, suggesting LEV dynamics are key to efficient aquatic locomotion.
  • Research focus should shift from the trailing wake to the leading edge of the fish tail for a comprehensive understanding of fish swimming.