Effects of fish body thickness on hydrodynamic performance for self-propulsion carangiform swimmer

Abstract

The efficient swimming of fish is closely linked to their unique body morphology. This study seeks to explore the impact of body morphology on hydrodynamic performance through numerical analysis. Initially, the investigation focuses on carangiform swimmers with varying thicknesses, denoted by the thickness coefficient ψ. Key performance indicators such as vortices, velocity, pressure, thrust, and energy consumption are analyzed. The findings reveal a notable phenomenon of vortex deflection in self-propelled studies, which is affected by the interplay between initial vortices and flow conditions. Specifically, the carangiform swimmer with ψ = 1.4 exhibits the highest thrust but also the greatest energy consumption. In contrast, the swimmer with ψ = 0.8 demonstrates the best acceleration and steady swimming speeds with moderate energy usage. This paper provides new insights into how body morphology influences self-propulsion in aquatic environments.