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Abstract An immersed boundary‐finite element with soft‐body dynamics has been implemented to study steady flow over a finite patch of submerged flexible aquatic vegetation. The flow structure interaction model can resolve the flow interactions with flexible vegetation, and hence the reconfiguration of vegetation blades to ambient flow. Flow dynamics strongly depend on two dimensionless parameters, namely vegetation density and Cauchy number (defined as the ratio of the fluid drag force to the elastic force). Five different flow patterns have been identified based on vegetation density and Cauchy number, including the limited reach, swaying, “monami” A, “monami” B with slow moving interfacial wave, and prone. The “monami” B pattern occurred at high vegetation density and is different from “monami” A, in which the passage of Kelvin‐Helmholtz billows strongly affects the vegetation interface. With soft‐body dynamics, blade‐to‐blade interactions can also be resolved. At high vegetation density, the hydrodynamic interactions play an important role in blade‐to‐blade interactions, where adjacent vegetation blades interact via the interstitial fluid pressure. At low vegetation density, direct contacts among vegetation blades play important roles in preventing unphysical penetration of vegetation blades.
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This content will become publicly available on March 1, 2026
Freeman Scholar Lecture (2021)—Sharp-Interface Immersed Boundary Methods in Fluid Dynamics
Abstract Immersed boundary methods (IBMs) have evolved over the past 50 years from a specialized technique in biofluid dynamics and applied mathematics to a cornerstone of computational fluid dynamics. Many recent advancements in immersed boundary methods have centered on sharp-interface immersed boundary methods, which offer enhanced accuracy and fidelity for flow simulations. This paper outlines the key principles that have driven our own efforts in the development of sharp-interface immersed boundary methods over the past 25 years. We also highlight the power and versatility of these methods by showcasing a range of applications, spanning biolocomotion (i.e., swimming and flying), physiological flows, compressible aerodynamics, fluid–structure interaction (FSI), and flow-induced noise.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2011619
- PAR ID:
- 10632976
- Publisher / Repository:
- ASME
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Fluids Engineering
- Volume:
- 147
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 0098-2202
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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