Structure and Mechanical Properties on Tail Flukes of Dolphin

Abstract

The objectives are to make the supporting mechanism of the tail flukes of dolphins clear and to obtain the useful knowledge for developing an artificial fin. The inner structure of the flukes was investigated by dissection of the flukes. The mechanical properties of a ligamentous layer and a dense connective tissue composing the flukes are investigated by the tensile test and compression test. It was found that the ligamentous layer had a high tensile modulus in the spanwise direction; the dense connective tissue had a high compressive modulus in the spanwise direction.