Integrated Study of Flight Stabilization with Flapping Wings in Canonical Urban Flows
Abstract
An integrated numerical-experimental methodology is used to investigate the aerodynamics and coupled flight dynamics of insects in free fight. The experimental component, which involves quantitative, high-speed videogrammetry of insects in free flight along with measurements of the mass properties of the insect body and wings, provides data for the parameterization as well as the validation of the computational models. The computational component of the research is centered primarily on high-fidelity Navier-Stokes (NS) modeling, which is based on a sharp interface immersed boundary method. The first part of the study involves the development and validation of a high-fidelity Navier-Stokes model of a hovering hawkmoth. The simulations are used for a comparative study of the hovering efficiency of flapping and revolving wings. The second phase of the study focuses on the stability of insect and insect-inspired flight. Stability analysis as well as fully coupled aero-flight dynamics modeling is used to gain insights into the stability properties of hovering insects. Combining this with experimental observations leads to a bioinspired strategy for flight stabilization, which is then tested via the computational modeling approach.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA588171
Entities
People
- Rajat Mittal
- Tyson Hendrick
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University