Numerical modeling of a self-propelled dolphin jump out of water

Abstract

Abstract A computational model is developed to investigate the jump of a self-propelled dolphin out of water. This model relies on the Navier–Stokes equations, where a fictitious domain approach with the volume penalization method is used for fluid-structure coupling, and the continuous surface force approach is used to model the water–air interface, the latter being tracked in a level-set framework. The dolphin's geometry is based on freely available data from the literature. While body deformation is imposed, the leading linear and angular displacements are computed from Newton’s laws. Numerical simulations show that it is necessary to generate large propulsives forces to allow the jump out of water. When the dolphin is out of water, its trajectory follows a purely ballistic one.