Novel experimental method for studying trajectories and wing kinematics of freely flying butterflies
Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
D. Brian Landrum
Committee Member
Chang-kwon Kang
Committee Member
Nathan J. Slegers
Subject(s)
Monarch butterfly--Flight--Analysis, Butterflies--Flight--Analysis, Wings (Anatomy)--Aerodynamics
Abstract
A novel experimental technique is presented for gathering data on the kinematics and trajectories of flapping insects. An optical tracking facility was used to record the free flight of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). The 5.7mx9.1mx3.0m capture volume allowed enough space to capture large numbers of sequential wing flaps. The system automatically tracked small reflective markers, which were modified to reduce the effects of additional mass on butterfly flight characteristics. This technique was used to record 2,000 flights of 86 different butterflies. A data analysis method is also presented that efficiently extracts information on flapping and body motion. A sample of data analyzed over 75 flights spanning 9 butterflies in a climbing trajectory is presented. Six flight characteristics - linear climbing rate, frequency and amplitude of flapping and body undulations, and the phase difference between them - and three dimensionless parameters - Reynolds number, Strouhal number and reduced frequency - were derived from this data set. This experimental technique and data add to the understanding of biological flight and development of micro flapping robots.
Recommended Citation
Cranford, Jacob Taylor, "Novel experimental method for studying trajectories and wing kinematics of freely flying butterflies" (2015). Theses. 698.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/698