Immersed boundary simulations of fluid shear-induced deformation of a cantilever beam

A biofilm is a colony of microorganisms that adheres and grows on surface typically in contact with stagnant or flowing fluid environment. The hydrodynamic interaction between the film structure plays key role various phases life-cycle — formation, growth, detachment, reestablishment. fluid-flow conditions determine shear stresses exerted upon causing it to deform up critical point, beyond which uprooted from into planktonic state fluid. To develop fundamental understanding effects parameters mechanics biofilm, this work considered an ideal 2D model scenario ‘a rectangular cantilever beam immersed channel filled viscous, incompressible fluid, where one end fixed wall, bending response flow.’ Immersed boundary (IB) method was employed simulate numerically fluid–structure interaction. effect physical problem stiffness height flow velocity, along numerical equilibrium elastic investigated simulation results were qualitatively compared respect linear theory. careful analysis “corner effects” irregularities shape near free ends, has been presented. It shown issue can be effectively eliminated by smoothing out corners “fillet” rounded shape. Finally, IB formulation extended include porosity investigate resultant porous deflection.