Numerical simulation of a pectoral fin during labriform swimming

SUMMARY We numerically examine the fluid–structure interaction and force generation of a skeleton-reinforced fin that geometrically, structurally and kinematically resembles the pectoral fin of a fish during labriform swimming. This fin contains a soft membrane with negligible bending stiffness and 12 embedded rays (modeled as beams). A potential flow-based boundary element model is applied to solve the fluid flow around the fin, in which the vorticity field is modeled as thin vorticity sheets shed from prescribed locations (the sharp trailing edge). The fin motion is actuated by dorsoventral and anteroposterior rotations of the rays (the motion of each ray is controlled individually), as well as pitching motion of the baseline. Consequently, the fin undergoes a combination of flapping (lift-based) and rowing (drag-based) motions typical in labriform swimming. The fin motion contains two strokes: a recovery stroke and a power stroke. The performance of the fin depends upon kinematic parameters such as the Strouhal number, the phase lag between rays, the pitching motion of the baseline and the passive deformations of the rays. The most interesting finding is that the strengthening of the ray at the leading edge plays a pivotal role in performance enhancement by reducing the effective angle of attack and decreasing the power expenditure during the recovery stroke.