Coupled CFD and Structural Solver for Flapping Wing Simulations

Abstract

A fluid structure interaction modeling tool is developed for the simulation of thrust generation using flexible flapping wings. Three models are developed by coupling the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver with different computational structural dynamics (CSD) solvers. The first model, a coupled solver based on eigenmodes is validated using the well-known Turek-Hron benchmark problem. The second model, a coupled solver for membrane cases is developed and tested for 2-D flow cases at various angles of attack and compared with results in the literature. The third model, a comprehensive structural solver coupled to the CFD solver is developed and tested for a flapping wing comprised of carbon fiber spars with mylar membrane between them. Several parametric studies are performed for this configuration varying the stroke amplitude and flapping frequency of the wing.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 12, 2022
Accession Number
AD1182423

Entities

People

  • Jason Geder
  • Kamal Viswanath
  • Orlando Soto
  • Rainald Löhner
  • Ravi Ramamurti

Organizations

  • George Mason University
  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Carbon Fibers
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Science
  • Engineering
  • Fibers
  • Flow
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Flow
  • Geometry
  • Incompressible Flow
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Physical Properties
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Operations Research