One-Way CFD/FEM Analysis of a Fish Cage in Current Conditions

This study explores the hydrodynamic behaviour of a fish cage in a steady current by employing a fluid–structure interaction model with one-way coupling between a fluid solver and a structural model. The fluid field around the fish cage is predicted using a computational fluid dynamics solver, while...

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Main Authors: Mariana D. Viegas, Shan Wang, C. Guedes Soares
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/12/2268
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author Mariana D. Viegas
Shan Wang
C. Guedes Soares
author_facet Mariana D. Viegas
Shan Wang
C. Guedes Soares
author_sort Mariana D. Viegas
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the hydrodynamic behaviour of a fish cage in a steady current by employing a fluid–structure interaction model with one-way coupling between a fluid solver and a structural model. The fluid field around the fish cage is predicted using a computational fluid dynamics solver, while the stress and deformation of the netting are calculated using finite element structural algorithm with solid elements reflecting their real geometry. The fluid velocity and hydrodynamic pressure are calculated and mapped to the structural analysis model. The fluid–structure interaction model is validated by comparing drag force results with published experimental data at different current conditions. Instead of modelling the netting of the fish cage as porous media or using lumped mass methods, the complete structural model is built in detail. The analysis of the fluid field around the nets shows that the change in the current condition has a limited impact on the flow behaviour, but the increase in the current velocity significantly enhances the magnitude of the drag force. This study reveals a reduction in flow within and downstream of the net, consistent with prior experimental findings and established research. Mechanical analysis shows that knotted nets have better performance than knotless ones, and although fluid pressure causes some structural deformation, it remains within safe limits, preventing material failure.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2077-1312
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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series Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
spelling doaj-art-4231d1abdb8a426ab32f4d8d6b41c2082024-12-27T14:33:26ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122024-12-011212226810.3390/jmse12122268One-Way CFD/FEM Analysis of a Fish Cage in Current ConditionsMariana D. Viegas0Shan Wang1C. Guedes Soares2Centre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering (CENTEC), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalCentre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering (CENTEC), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalCentre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering (CENTEC), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalThis study explores the hydrodynamic behaviour of a fish cage in a steady current by employing a fluid–structure interaction model with one-way coupling between a fluid solver and a structural model. The fluid field around the fish cage is predicted using a computational fluid dynamics solver, while the stress and deformation of the netting are calculated using finite element structural algorithm with solid elements reflecting their real geometry. The fluid velocity and hydrodynamic pressure are calculated and mapped to the structural analysis model. The fluid–structure interaction model is validated by comparing drag force results with published experimental data at different current conditions. Instead of modelling the netting of the fish cage as porous media or using lumped mass methods, the complete structural model is built in detail. The analysis of the fluid field around the nets shows that the change in the current condition has a limited impact on the flow behaviour, but the increase in the current velocity significantly enhances the magnitude of the drag force. This study reveals a reduction in flow within and downstream of the net, consistent with prior experimental findings and established research. Mechanical analysis shows that knotted nets have better performance than knotless ones, and although fluid pressure causes some structural deformation, it remains within safe limits, preventing material failure.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/12/2268fish cageCFD/FEM analysisfluid–structure interaction (FSI)one-way coupling
spellingShingle Mariana D. Viegas
Shan Wang
C. Guedes Soares
One-Way CFD/FEM Analysis of a Fish Cage in Current Conditions
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
fish cage
CFD/FEM analysis
fluid–structure interaction (FSI)
one-way coupling
title One-Way CFD/FEM Analysis of a Fish Cage in Current Conditions
title_full One-Way CFD/FEM Analysis of a Fish Cage in Current Conditions
title_fullStr One-Way CFD/FEM Analysis of a Fish Cage in Current Conditions
title_full_unstemmed One-Way CFD/FEM Analysis of a Fish Cage in Current Conditions
title_short One-Way CFD/FEM Analysis of a Fish Cage in Current Conditions
title_sort one way cfd fem analysis of a fish cage in current conditions
topic fish cage
CFD/FEM analysis
fluid–structure interaction (FSI)
one-way coupling
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/12/2268
work_keys_str_mv AT marianadviegas onewaycfdfemanalysisofafishcageincurrentconditions
AT shanwang onewaycfdfemanalysisofafishcageincurrentconditions
AT cguedessoares onewaycfdfemanalysisofafishcageincurrentconditions