Abstract
Performance of the oscillating fin with different rear shapes has been analyzed in the present work. Preliminary analysis was performed by using numerical simulations on the interaction between fluid and solid model. Involved rear fin-shapes were based on natural forms of caudal fin of fish such as round, truncate, fork and lunate. From the present result, the rear-shapes affect the optimum performance of the fin such as thrust production, represented by cruising speed, and efficiency. The effects determine suitable mission for each rear-shape such as short, medium, or long cruising endurance. Further numerical study on the effect of material elasticity of the fin, represented by cupping shape of the fin, was also performed. The characteristics of cupping shape increases thrust production of the oscillating fin for impulse thrust generator such as round and truncate rear-shapes.