Uploaded October 2013 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
This movie shows the vortices generated by a flapping elastic beam. The root of the beam is subjected to a harmonic vertical motion. The interaction of the elastic deformations and the induced fluid flow create forces that propel the beam leftwards. This can be seen in the movie because the vortices are shed in the opposite direction following the initial transient phase. The computation is representative of animal locomotion in air and water using flexible appendages.
This movie shows the vortices generated by a flapping elastic beam. The root of the beam is subjected to a harmonic vertical motion. The interaction of the elastic deformations and the induced fluid flow create forces that propel the beam leftwards. This can be seen in the movie because the vortices are shed in the opposite direction following the initial transient phase. The computation is representative of animal locomotion in air and water using flexible appendages.
