Scaling Laws for Caudal Fin Swimmers Incorporating Hydrodynamics, Kinematics, Morphology, and Scale Effects

TL;DR

This paper develops scaling laws for caudal fin swimmers based on hydrodynamics, kinematics, and morphology, validated with simulations and experiments, to better understand and optimize aquatic propulsion.

Contribution

It introduces a vortex-based model and derives new scaling laws that incorporate scale effects, morphology, and flow physics for aquatic propulsion systems.

Findings

Thrust and efficiency scale with Reynolds and Strouhal numbers.

New kinematic and morphometric parameters significantly influence hydrodynamic performance.

The model accurately predicts performance across different scales and conditions.

Abstract

Many species of fish, as well as biorobotic underwater vehicles, employ body caudal fin propulsion, in which a wave-like body motion culminates in high-amplitude caudal fin oscillations to generate thrust. This study uses high fidelity simulations of a mackerel-inspired caudal fin swimmer across a wide range of Reynolds and Strouhal numbers to analyze the relationship between swimming kinematics and hydrodynamic forces. Central to this work is the derivation and use of a model for the leading edge vortex on the caudal fin. This vortex dominates the thrust production from the fin and the LEV model forms the basis for the derivation of scaling laws grounded in flow physics. Scaling laws are derived for thrust, power, efficiency, cost-of-transport, and swimming speed, and are parameterized using data from high fidelity simulations. These laws are validated against published simulation and experimental data, revealing several new kinematic and morphometric parameters that critically influence hydrodynamic performance. The results provide a mechanistic framework for understanding thrust generation, optimizing swimming performance, and assessing the effects of scale and morphology in aquatic locomotion of both fish and biorobotic underwater vehicles.