Validity and visualization of a numerical model used to determine dynamic configurations of fishing nets

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to develop a numerical calculation method to simulate the three-dimensional dynamic behavior of fishing nets. In a previous study, we presented a formulation to calculate net configurations. In this method, fishing nets were modeled as a group of lumped mass points interconnected with springs that have no mass. To verify the validity of calculation results using a computational model, we performed the flume tank experiments with a rectangular net and compared results with those of the numerical simulation of experiments. Using our method, numerical calculations for a rectangular net in a steady flow can provide accurate results. The calculated load and tension force distribution of the flat net were generally in accordance with the results of the flume tank experiments. This study shows that our method is valid for the simulation of fishing nets; furthermore, we have resolved earlier problems that were associated with this model.