Assessment of the Performance of an Artificial Reef Made of Modular Elements through Small Scale Experiments

Artificial reefs have proven to be an optimal and effective solution in stabilizing coastlines around the world. They are submerged structures that imitate the protection service provided by natural reefs accomplishing the functions of dissipating wave energy and protecting beach morphology, but also being an ecological solution. In this paper, 2D small-scale experiments were performed to analyze the hydrodynamic, morphological, and ecological behavior of an artificial reef constructed of modular elements. Two typical beach-dune profiles were constructed in a wave flume over which two locations of an artificial reef were tested. From these tests, transmission coefficients were obtained as well as the beach profile response to the presence of the artificial reef. These results are used to discuss about the hydrodynamic, morphological, and ecological performance of the artificial reef. The proposed artificial reef showed good morphological performance while its hydrodynamic function had limited success. In turn, the ecologic performance was theoretically addressed.

Tuna locomotion: a computational hydrodynamic analysis of finlet function

Finlets are a series of small non-retractable fins common to scombrid fishes (mackerels, bonitos and tunas), which are known for their high swimming speed. It is hypothesized that these small fins could potentially affect propulsive performance. Here, we combine experimental and computational approaches to investigate the hydrodynamics of finlets in yellowfin tuna ( Thunnus albacares ) during steady swimming. High-speed videos were obtained to provide kinematic data on the in vivo motion of finlets. High-fidelity simulations were then carried out to examine the hydrodynamic performance and vortex dynamics of a biologically realistic multiple-finlet model with reconstructed kinematics. It was found that finlets undergo both heaving and pitching motion and are delayed in phase from anterior to posterior along the body. Simulation results show that finlets were drag producing and did not produce thrust. The interactions among finlets helped reduce total finlet drag by 21.5%. Pitching motions of finlets helped reduce the power consumed by finlets during swimming by 20.8% compared with non-pitching finlets. Moreover, the pitching finlets created constructive forces to facilitate posterior body flapping. Wake dynamics analysis revealed a unique vortex tube matrix structure and cross-flow streams redirected by the pitching finlets, which supports their hydrodynamic function in scombrid fishes. Limitations on modelling and the generality of results are also discussed.

Enhanced heat transfer research in liquid-cooled channel based on piezoelectric vibrating cantilever

In order to study the variation of vortices and heat transfer enhancement characteristics of piezoelectric vibrating cantilever in liquid-cooled channels, the effects of fluid density and viscosity, mainstream velocity and excitation voltage on vortices were analyzed. The theoretical and numerical simulation of piezoelectric vortices was carried out by using fluid-solid coupling method. On the basis of hydrodynamic function considering the additional effect of liquid viscosity and density on piezoelectric vibrator, the vortex structure of piezoelectric vibrator was analyzed by panel method free-wake model. It is found that the larger the density of the liquid, the smaller the vortex shedding strength and the radius of the core; the larger the viscosity of the liquid, the easier to fully develop the vortex generated by the excitation; the increase of the mainstream flow velocity is beneficial to the development of the vortex structure and the increase of the vorticity intensity; compared with the increase of the mainstream flow velocity, the excitation voltage is more conducive to the enhancement of the vorticity structure, then make it easier to mix hot and cold fluids, thus enhancing heat transfer.

Hydrodynamic functionality of the lorica in choanoflagellates

Choanoflagellates are unicellular eukaryotes that are ubiquitous in aquatic habitats. They have a single flagellum that creates a flow toward a collar filter composed of filter strands that extend from the cell. In one common group, the loricate choanoflagellates, the cell is suspended in an elaborate basket-like structure, the lorica, the function of which remains unknown. Here, we use Computational Fluid Dynamics to explore the possible hydrodynamic function of the lorica. We use the choanoflagellate Diaphaoneca grandis as a model organism. It has been hypothesized that the function of the lorica is to prevent refiltration (flow recirculation) and to increase the drag and, hence, increase the feeding rate and reduce the swimming speed. We find no support for these hypotheses. On the contrary, motile prey are encountered at a much lower rate by the loricate organism. The presence of the lorica does not affect the average swimming speed, but it suppresses the lateral motion and rotation of the cell. Without the lorica, the cell jiggles from side to side while swimming. The unsteady flow generated by the beating flagellum causes reversed flow through the collar filter that may wash away captured prey while it is being transported to the cell body for engulfment. The lorica substantially decreases such flow, hence it potentially increases the capture efficiency. This may be the main adaptive value of the lorica.

Analysis of the Fluid Motion Induced by a Vibrating Lamina Through Free Surface-Lattice Boltzmann Coupled Method

In this work, we perform a numerical study on the flow induced by the motion of a rigid cantilever beam undergoing finite amplitude oscillations, in a viscous fluid, under a free surface. To this aim, we use a lattice Boltzmann volume of fluid (LB-VOF) integrated method, which includes the tracking of the fluid surface. The adopted approach couples the simplicity of the LB method with the possibility to track the free surface by means of a VOF strategy. Through a parametric analysis, we study the effects related to the depth of submergence, for several values of the oscillation frequency and amplitude. Results are provided in terms of a complex hydrodynamic function, whose real and imaginary parts are the added mass and the viscous damping, respectively, acting on the lamina. Validation of the results is carried out by comparing the solution, for the limit case of lamina submerged in an infinite fluid, with those from available literature studies. We find that the presence of the free surface strongly influences the flow physics around the lamina, especially at low values of the depth of submergence. In facts, when the lamina approaches to the free surface, the fluid waves, generated by the motion of the lamina, interact with the oscillating body itself, giving rise to additional effects, which we quantify in terms of added mass and viscous damping.