COMPUTATIONAL AERODYNAMICS OF FLAPPING WING FLIGHT

Abstract

This thesis presents a computational study on the aerodynamics and kinematics of a free-flying flapping wing flyer modeled after a fruit-fly. An integrative computational framework was further developed and adapted for the free flight simulation. The numerical model incorporated active adjustments to the wing kinematics of the model fly directed at regulation of flight motion. A variety of free flight scenarios has been simulated using the present numerical approach, including hovering, fast rectilinear flight, body saccades, sideslip, banking turns and takeoff. The model fly can fly stably in a wide range of airspeed. The presence of oncoming flow exerted strong effect on the aerodynamics of the flapping wing flyer. The flyer can also swiftly alter its heading and flight direction using only subtle changes in wing kinematics. The vortical flow surrounding the model fly was systematically analyzed in all the cases. The present results showed good consistency with previous studies.