Numerical study on propulsive performance of fish-like swimming foils1

Two-dimensional numerical simulations are performed to study the propulsive performance of fish-like swimming foils using the immersed-boundary method. A single fish as well as two fishes in tandem arrangement are studied. First, the effect of the phase speed on the propulsive performance of a single fish is analyzed. The wake structures and pressure distribution near the wavy fish are also examined. The results show good correlation with those by previous researchers. Second, two tandem fishes with the same phase speed and amplitude are studied. The results show that the fish situated directly behind another one endure a higher thrust than that of a single one.