Multi-fidelity modelling of shark skin denticle flows: Insights into drag generation mechanisms

We investigate the flow over smooth (non-ribletted) shark skin denticles in an open-channel flow using Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and two Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) closures. Large peaks in pressure and viscous drag are observed at the denticle crown edges, where they are exposed to high-speed fluid which penetrates between individual denticles, increasing shear and turbulence. Strong lift forces lead to a positive spanwise torque acting on individual denticles, potentially encouraging bristling if the denticles were not fixed. However, DNS predicts that denticles ultimately increase drag by 58 % compared to a flat plate.
Good predictions of drag distributions are obtained by RANS models, although an underestimation of turbulent kinetic energy production leads to an underprediction of drag. Nevertheless, RANS methods correctly predict trends in the drag data and the regions contributing most to viscous and pressure drag. Subsequently, RANS models are used to investiga..., ,