Dick K. P. Yue

Drag reduction in fish-like locomotion

We present experimental force and power measurements demonstrating that the power required to propel an actively swimming, streamlined, fish-like body is significantly smaller than the power needed to tow the body straight and rigid at the same speed U . The data have been obtained through accurate force and motion measurements on a laboratory fish-like robotic mechanism, 1.2 m long, covered with a flexible skin and equipped with a tail fin, at Reynolds numbers up to 10 6 , with turbulence stimulation. The lateral motion of the body is in the form of a travelling wave with wavelength λ and varying amplitude along the length, smoothly increasing from the front to the tail end. A parametric investigation shows sensitivity of drag reduction to the non-dimensional frequency (Strouhal number), amplitude of body oscillation and wavelength λ, and angle of attack and phase angle of the tail fin. A necessary condition for drag reduction is that the phase speed of the body wave be greater than the forward speed U . Power estimates using an inviscid numerical scheme compare favourably with the experimental data. The method employs a boundary-integral method for arbitrary flexible body geometry and motions, while the wake shed from the fish-like form is modelled by an evolving desingularized dipole sheet.

A HIGH-ORDER SPECTRAL METHOD FOR THE STUDY OF NONLINEAR GRAVITY WAVES

We develop a robust numerical method for modelling nonlinear gravity waves which is based on the Zakharov equation/mode-coupling idea but is generalized to include interactions up to an arbitrary order M in wave steepness. A large number ( N = O (1000)) of free wave modes are typically used whose amplitude evolutions are determined through a pseudospectral treatment of the nonlinear free-surface conditions. The computational effort is directly proportional to N and M , and the convergence with N and M is exponentially fast for waves up to approximately 80% of Stokes limiting steepness ( ka ∼ 0.35). The efficiency and accuracy of the method is demonstrated by comparisons to fully nonlinear semi-Lagrangian computations (Vinje & Brevig 1981); calculations of long-time evolution of wavetrains using the modified (fourth-order) Zakharov equations (Stiassnie & Shemer 1987); and experimental measurements of a travelling wave packet (Su 1982). As a final example of the usefulness of the method, we consider the nonlinear interactions between two colliding wave envelopes of different carrier frequencies.

Interactions among multiple three-dimensional bodies in water waves: an exact algebraic method

This paper deals with three-dimensional water-wave diffraction and radiation by a structure consisting of a number of separate (vertically) non-overlapping members in the context of linearised potential flow. An interaction theory is developed which solves the complete problem, predicting wave exciting forces, hydrodynamic coefficients and second-order drift forces, but is based algebraically on the diffraction characteristics of single members only. This method, which includes also the diffraction interaction of evanescent waves, is in principle exact (within the context of linearised theory) for otherwise arbitrary configurations and spacings. This is confirmed by a number of numerical examples and comparisons involving two or four axisymmetric legs, where full three-dimensional diffraction calculations for the entire structures are also performed using a hybrid element method. To demonstrate the efficacy of the interaction theory, it is applied to an array of 33 (3 by 11) composite cylindrical legs, where experimental data are available. The comparison with measurements shows reasonable agreement. The present method is valid for a large class of arrays of arbitrary individual geometries, number and configuration of bodies with non-intersecting vertical projections. Its application should make it unnecessary to perform full diffraction computations for many multiple-member structures and arrays.

Three-dimensional flow structures and vorticity control in fish-like swimming

We employ a three-dimensional, nonlinear inviscid numerical method, in conjunction with experimental data from live fish and from a fish-like robotic mechanism, to establish the three-dimensional features of the flow around a fish-like body swimming in a straight line, and to identify the principal mechanisms of vorticity control employed in fish-like swimming. The computations contain no structural model for the fish and hence no recoil correction. First, we show the near-body flow structure produced by the travelling-wave undulations of the bodies of a tuna and a giant danio. As revealed in cross-sectional planes, for tuna the flow contains dominant features resembling the flow around a two-dimensional oscillating plate over most of the length of the fish body. For the giant danio, on the other hand, a mixed longitudinal–transverse structure appears along the hind part of the body. We also investigate the interaction of the body-generated vortices with the oscillating caudal fin and with tail-generated vorticity. Two distinct vorticity interaction modes are identified: the first mode results in high thrust and is generated by constructive pairing of body-generated vorticity with same-sign tail-generated vorticity, resulting in the formation of a strong thrust wake; the second corresponds to high propulsive efficiency and is generated by destructive pairing of body-generated vorticity with opposite-sign tail-generated vorticity, resulting in the formation of a weak thrust wake.

Numerical simulations of nonlinear axisymmetric flows with a free surface

A numerical method is developed for nonlinear three-dimensional but axisymmetric free-surface problems using a mixed Eulerian-Lagrangian scheme under the assumption of potential flow. Taking advantage of axisymmetry, Rankine ring sources are used in a Greens theorem boundary-integral formulation to solve the field equation; and the free surface is then updated in time following Lagrangian points. A special treatment of the free surface and body intersection points is generalized to this case which avoids the difficulties associated with the singularity there. To allow for long-time simulations, the nonlinear computational domain is matched to a transient linear wavefield outside. When the matching boundary is placed at a suitable distance (depending on wave amplitude), numerical simulations can, in principle, be continued indefinitely in time. Based on a simple stability argument, a regriding algorithm similar to that of Fink & Soh (1974) for vortex sheets is generalized to free-surface flows, which removes the instabilities experienced by earlier investigators and eliminates the need for artificial smoothing. The resulting scheme is very robust and stable. For illustration, three computational examples are presented: (i) the growth and collapse of a vapour cavity near the free surface; (ii) the heaving of a floating vertical cylinder starting from rest; and (iii) the heaving of an inverted vertical cone. For the cavity problem, there is excellent agreement with available experiments. For the wave-body interaction calculations, we are able to obtain and analyse steady-state (limit-cycle) results for the force and flow field in the vicinity of the body.

Flapping dynamics of a flag in a uniform stream

We consider the flapping stability and response of a thin two-dimensional flag of high extensional rigidity and low bending rigidity. The three relevant non-dimensional parameters governing the problem are the structure-to-fluid mass ratio, μ = ρ s h /(ρ f L ); the Reynolds number, Rey = VL /ν; and the non-dimensional bending rigidity, K B = EI /(ρ f V 2 L 3 ). The soft cloth of a flag is represented by very low bending rigidity and the subsequent dominance of flow-induced tension as the main structural restoring force. We first perform linear analysis to help understand the relevant mechanisms of the problem and guide the computational investigation. To study the nonlinear stability and response, we develop a fluid–structure direct simulation (FSDS) capability, coupling a direct numerical simulation of the Navier–Stokes equations to a solver for thin-membrane dynamics of arbitrarily large motion. With the flow grid fitted to the structural boundary, external forcing to the structure is calculated from the boundary fluid dynamics. Using a systematic series of FSDS runs, we pursue a detailed analysis of the response as a function of mass ratio for the case of very low bending rigidity ( K B = 10 −4 ) and relatively high Reynolds number ( Rey = 10 3 ). We discover three distinct regimes of response as a function of mass ratio μ: (I) a small μ regime of fixed-point stability; (II) an intermediate μ regime of period-one limit-cycle flapping with amplitude increasing with increasing μ; and (III) a large μ regime of chaotic flapping. Parametric stability dependencies predicted by the linear analysis are confirmed by the nonlinear FSDS, and hysteresis in stability is explained with a nonlinear softening spring model. The chaotic flapping response shows up as a breaking of the limit cycle by inclusion of the 3/2 superharmonic. This occurs as the increased flapping amplitude yields a flapping Strouhal number ( St = 2 Af / V ) in the neighbourhood of the natural vortex wake Strouhal number, St ≃ 0.2. The limit-cycle von Karman vortex wake transitions in chaos to a wake with clusters of higher intensity vortices. For the largest mass ratios, strong vortex pairs are distributed away from the wake centreline during intermittent violent snapping events, characterized by rapid changes in tension and dynamic buckling.

The complete second-order diffraction solution for an axisymmetric body Part 1. Monochromatic incident waves

The authors studied the diffraction, to second order, of plane monochromatic incident gravity waves by a vertically axisymmetric body. The second-order double-frequency diffraction potential is obtained explicitly. A sequence of one-dimensional integral equations along the generator of the body involving free-surface ring sources of general order are formulated and solved for the circumferential components of the second-order potential. The solution is expedited by analytic integrations in the entire local-wave-free outer field of a requisite free-surface integral. The method is validated by extensive convergence tests and comparisons to semi-analytic results for the second-order forces and moments on a uniform vertical circular cylinder. Complete second-order forces, moments, surface pressures and run-up on the vertical cylinder as well as a truncated vertical cone are presented. A summary is given of the most important findings.

On the water impact of general two-dimensional sections

Abstract We consider the analytic solution of the impact problem of a general two-dimensional body entering initially calm water. Of interest are the water splash-up height, the force history and the pressure distribution on the body. The potential-flow formulation of Wagner (Wagner, H. Math. Mech. 1932;12(4):193–215) is applied and extended to an arbitrary body section with the body boundary condition imposed on the exact wetted surface of the body. For wedges and circular cylinders, we derive closed-form solutions using conformal mapping for the boundary-value problem at any instant. These solutions reduce to those of Wagner in the small deadrise angle/shallow-body limit and are verified for the general case by the existing experiments and fully nonlinear numerical simulations. For ship-like sections, we develop a general scheme based on Lewis-form representations for which we also obtain analytic solutions. For illustration, the solution for a bow flare section is obtained which compares favorably with experiments. The present approach generalizes Wagner’s method to a wide class of body sections and is of immediate practical use in the study of ship slamming.

The Coupled Boundary Layers and Air–Sea Transfer Experiment in Low Winds

The Office of Naval Researchs Coupled Boundary Layers and Air–Sea Transfer (CBLAST) program is being conducted to investigate the processes that couple the marine boundary layers and govern the exchange of heat, mass, and momentum across the air–sea interface. CBLAST-LOW was designed to investigate these processes at the low-wind extreme where the processes are often driven or strongly modulated by buoyant forcing. The focus was on conditions ranging from negligible wind stress, where buoyant forcing dominates, up to wind speeds where wave breaking and Langmuir circulations play a significant role in the exchange processes. The field program provided observations from a suite of platforms deployed in the coastal ocean south of Marthas Vineyard. Highlights from the measurement campaigns include direct measurement of the momentum and heat fluxes on both sides of the air–sea interface using a specially constructed Air–Sea Interaction Tower (ASIT), and quantification of regional oceanic variability over sca...

On generalized Bragg scattering of surface waves by bottom ripples

We study the generalized Bragg scattering of surface waves over a wavy bottom. We consider the problem in the general context of nonlinear wave–wave interactions, and write down and provide geometric constructions for the Bragg resonance conditions for second-order triad (class I) and third-order quartet (class II and class III) wave– bottom interactions. Class I resonance involving one bottom and two surface wave components is classical. Class II resonance manifests bottom nonlinearity (it involves two bottom and two surface wave components), and has been studied in the laboratory. Class III Bragg resonance is new and is a result of free-surface nonlinearity involving resonant interaction among one bottom and three surface wave components. The amplitude of the resonant wave is quadratic in the surface wave slope and linear in the bottom steepness, and, unlike the former two cases, the resonant wave may be either reflected or transmitted (relative to the incident waves) depending on the wave–bottom geometry. To predict the initial spatial/temporal growth of the Bragg resonant wave for these resonances, we also provide the regular perturbation solution up to third order. To confirm these predictions and to obtain an efficient computational tool for general wave–bottom problems with resonant interactions, we extend and develop a powerful high-order spectral method originally developed for nonlinear wave–wave and wave–body interactions. The efficacy of the method is illustrated in high-order Bragg resonance computations in two and three dimensions. These results compare well with existing experiments and perturbation theory for the known class I and class II Bragg resonance cases, and obtain and elucidate the new class III resonance. It is shown that under realistic conditions with moderate to small surface and bottom steepnesses, the amplitudes of third-order class II and class III Bragg resonant waves can be comparable in magnitude to those resulting from class I interactions and appreciable relative to the incident wave.