From the discovery of functionally graded laminated composites, to near-structurally optimized diagonally reinforced square lattice structures, the skeletal system of the predominantly deep-sea sponge Euplectella aspergillum has continued to inspire biologists, materials scientists and mechanical engineers. Building on these previous efforts, in the present study, we develop an integrated finite element and fluid dynamics approach for investigating structure–function relationships in the complex maze-like organization of helical ridges that surround the main skeletal tube of this species. From these investigations, we discover that not only do these ridges provide additional mechanical reinforcement, but perhaps more significantly, provide a critical hydrodynamic benefit by effectively suppressing von Kármán vortex shedding and reducing lift forcing fluctuations over a wide range of biologically relevant flow regimes. By comparing the disordered sponge ridge geometry to other more symmetrical strake-based vortex suppression systems commonly employed in infrastructure applications ranging from antennas to underwater gas and oil pipelines, we find that the unique maze-like ridge organization of E. aspergillum can completely suppress vortex shedding rather than delaying their shedding to a more downstream location, thus highlighting their potential benefit in these engineering contexts.

从功能梯度层压复合材料的发现，到近乎结构优化的对角增强方形晶格结构，主要是深海海绵Euplectella aspergillum的骨骼系统一直激励着生物学家、材料科学家和机械工程师。在这些先前努力的基础上，在本研究中，我们开发了一种集成的有限元和流体动力学方法，用于研究围绕该物种主要骨骼管的螺旋脊的复杂迷宫状组织中的结构-功能关系。从这些研究中，我们发现这些脊不仅提供了额外的机械加固，而且可能更重要的是，通过有效抑制冯卡门涡旋脱落和减少各种生物相关流动状态的升力波动，提供了关键的流体动力学优势。E. aspergillum可以完全抑制涡流脱落，而不是将它们的脱落延迟到更下游的位置，从而突出它们在这些工程环境中的潜在好处。