Fluid–structure interaction (FSI) plays a significant role in the deformation of flapping insect wings. However, many current FSI models are high-order and rely on direct computational methods, thereby limiting parametric studies as well as insights into the physics governing wing dynamics. We develop a novel flapping wing FSI framework that accommodates general wing geometry and fluid loading. We use this framework to study the unilaterally coupled FSI of an idealized hawkmoth forewing considering two fluid models: Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics (RANS CFD) and blade element theory (BET). We first compare aerodynamic modal forces estimated by the low-order BET model to those calculated via high fidelity RANS CFD. We find that for realistic flapping kinematics, BET estimates modal forces five orders of magnitude faster than CFD within reasonable accuracy. Over the range flapping kinematics considered, BET and CFD estimated modal forces vary maximally by 350% in magnitude and approximately π/2 radians in phase. The large reduction in computational time offered by BET facilitates high-dimensional parametric design of flapping-wing-based technologies. Next, we compare the contributions of aerodynamic and inertial forces to wing deformation. Under the unilateral coupling assumption, aerodynamic and inertial-elastic forces are on the same order of magnitude—however, inertial-elastic forces primarily excite the wing’s bending mode whereas aerodynamic forces primarily excite the wing’s torsional mode. This suggests that, via conscientious sensor placement and orientation, biological wings may be able to sense independently inertial and aerodynamic forces.
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December 2019
Research-Article
A Novel Fluid–Structure Interaction Framework for Flapping, Flexible Wings
Ryan Schwab,
Ryan Schwab
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: rschwab03@gmail.com
Montana State University
,Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: rschwab03@gmail.com
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Erick Johnson,
Erick Johnson
Assistant Professor
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: erick.johnson@montana.edu
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Montana State University
,Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: erick.johnson@montana.edu
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Mark Jankauski
Mark Jankauski
1
Assistant Professor
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: mark.jankauski@montana.edu
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Montana State University
,Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: mark.jankauski@montana.edu
1Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
Ryan Schwab
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: rschwab03@gmail.com
Montana State University
,Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: rschwab03@gmail.com
Erick Johnson
Assistant Professor
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: erick.johnson@montana.edu
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Montana State University
,Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: erick.johnson@montana.edu
Mark Jankauski
Assistant Professor
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: mark.jankauski@montana.edu
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
Montana State University
,Bozeman, MT 59717
e-mail: mark.jankauski@montana.edu
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Technical Committee on Vibration and Sound of ASME for publication in the Journal of Vibration and Acoustics. Manuscript received December 6, 2018; final manuscript received July 15, 2019; published online July 31, 2019. Assoc. Editor: Maurizio Porfiri.
J. Vib. Acoust. Dec 2019, 141(6): 061002 (13 pages)
Published Online: July 31, 2019
Article history
Received:
December 6, 2018
Revision Received:
July 15, 2019
Accepted:
July 15, 2019
Citation
Schwab, R., Johnson, E., and Jankauski, M. (July 31, 2019). "A Novel Fluid–Structure Interaction Framework for Flapping, Flexible Wings." ASME. J. Vib. Acoust. December 2019; 141(6): 061002. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4044268
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