COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF FLEXIBLE FLAPPING WINGS

Abstract

Insect flight is a challenging research for which we have limited understanding of the aerodynamic effects of wing flexibility. In the first part of the Thesis, Fruitfly and Hawkmoth wings were modeled as rigid surfaces to study their aerodynamics. The comparisons with experimental results were positive with matching force trends. In the later part, finite element analysis of different Fruitfly wing models under static and dynamic load revealed that realistic, insect-like deformation can be obtained by increasing the chordwise flexibility while maintaining the spanwise stiffness. The resulted wing models were then simulated by a fluid structure interaction solver. By systematic quantitative analysis of aerodynamic force production and power consumption, flexible wings were proven to be more efficient than rigid ones thanks to the passive elastic adjustment to the development of flow structure.