Hydrodynamic Analysis of Shark Body Hydrofoil Using CFD Methods

Abstract

The most efficient designs are found in the nature. Many natural events and processes have been successfully transferred to the science and technology in order to solve the problems or to increase the efficiency of the systems. The hydrodynamic principles were efficiently employed by swimming animals for many years. Excellent body shapes of fish species have enabled them to continue their generation until today. The aim of this study is to understand the 2D hydrodynamics of the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) and to analyze the fluid flow around its body hydrofoil. The hydrofoil of the tope shark (TSH) has been generated using a real-scale image and digitalized using NURB (Non-uniform B-spline) curves. ANSYS CFX software has been employed for CFD simulations after suitable meshing around the TSH. The pressure and velocity area around the shark hydrofoil was illustrated for different angles of attack and Re numbers. The hydrodynamic performance variables such as lift, drag and pressure coefficients for the hydrofoil were analyzed.