Electro-hydro-elastic modeling of Structure-Borne Traveling Waves and their application to aquatic swimming motions

Structure-Borne Traveling Waves (SBTWs) can replicate the combined undulatory and oscillatory motions utilized by body and/or caudal fin (BCF) aquatic swimmers. However, when SBTWs are generated in a dense fluid media, such as water, there is poor understanding of Fluid–Structure Interactions (FSI). There also limited how to achieve full motions. This study demonstrates effect FSI on investigates relationship between SBTW quality (undulatory vs. motion) forcing input. function leveraging surface’s structural properties (mode shapes natural frequencies) deform surface into dynamic waveform. combination traveling standing waves, range from pure wave (undulatory) (oscillatory). require small number actuators, be any thin-walled (flat or curved), have customizable parameters (direction, frequency, wavelength). sensitive due their dependence properties. In this study, an electro-hydro-elastic (EHE) model developed capture investigate input affects resultant waveform oscillatory). The EHE consists clamped-free beam with discrete, piezoelectric actuators quiescent fluid. Slender theory hydrodynamic used added mass viscous damping, assuming displacement amplitudes. accurately replicates experimental water across able predict quality. It shown that maximized (i.e. wave/undulatory provide equal structure. achieved through judicious actuator placement control relative voltage inputs. they seen BCF swimming. represents critical step towards implementing for underwater propulsion, future studies should evaluate propulsive capabilities thrust).