Numerical Study of Flapping Wings
Objectives
- Understand nonlinear coupling and physics of the unsteady aerodynamics, structural dynamics and flight dynamics associated with biological flight of insects, birds, and bats
- Manipulate the multi-disciplinary physical phenomena to meet desired performance characteristics, e.g. lift, thrust, and power
- Apply knowledge of the relevant fluid physics and structural dynamics to Micro-Air Vehicle design
Approaches
Highlights
Researchers
Achievements
- Importance of kinematics on the resulting flow structures to enhance lift generation for flapping wing flight
- Enhanced aerodynamic performance due to suitable wing deformations and its scaling relationships
- Detailed comparisons and validations against experiments to assess numerical and experimental uncertainties
Future Work
- Universal aeroelastic scaling: flying vs swimming
- Benefits of anisotropic wing structures
- Formulation of analytical models
- Dr. Chang-kwon Kang, Assistant Professor MAE
- PhD Student: Madhu Sridhar
- MSc Student: Louis Salmon
Experimental Investigation of Butterfly Flight
- Sridhar, M. K., and Kang, C., “Aerodynamic Performance of Two-Dimensional, Chordwise Flexible Flapping Wings at Fruit Fly Scale in Hover
- Flight,” Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, Vol. 10, Nr. 3, 2015, p. 036007.
- Kang, C., and Shyy, W., “Analytical model for instantaneous lift and shape deformation of an insect-scale flapping wing in hover,” Journal of Royal Society Interface, Vol 11, 2014, pp. 20140933
- Kang, C. and Shyy, W., Scaling law and enhancement of lift generation of an insect-size hovering flexible wing,” Journal of Royal Society Interface, Vol. 10 no. 85, 2013
- Kang, C., Aono, H., Baik, Y.S., Bernal, L.P., and Shyy, W., “Fluid Dynamics of Pitching and Plunging Flat Plate at Intermediate Reynolds Numbers," AIAA Journal, Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. 315-329, 2013
- Kang, C., Aono, H., Cesnik, C.E.S., and Shyy, W., “Effects of Flexibility on the Aerodynamic Performance of Flapping Wings,” Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 689, pp. 32 - 74, 2011