Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
Chang-kwon Kang
Committee Member
Kader Frendi
Committee Member
D. Brian Landrum
Subject(s)
Wings (Anatomy)--Aerodynamics, Bumblebees--Flight--Analysis, Fruit-flies--Flight--Analysis
Abstract
Aeroelastic response at fruit fly and bumblebee scales is explored using a well-validated Navier-Stokes equation solver, fully-coupled with a linear Euler-Bernoulli beam solver. Hover flight is considered with passive pitch at low Reynolds numbers. A systematic study with varying motion amplitudes and wing stiffness showed that the optimal efficiency at both scales was observed at lower reduced frequencies and frequency ratios, whereas lift was the highest at the higher reduced frequency and frequency ratio. The aeroelastic response at bumblebee scale was non-periodic and more unsteady when compared to fruit fly scale, consistent with the higher Reynolds number for the bumblebee. Lift at bumblebee scale was lower. A potential reason is an upward vortex street. Overall, lift at both scales varies with the shape deformation parameter γ. Optimal efficiency motion is closely aligned to experimental observations of fruit flies and bumblebees, suggesting that both insects aim to conserve energy, rather than to generate large forces.
Recommended Citation
Sridhar, Madhu K., "Aerodynamic performance of flexible flapping wings in hover at fruit fly and bumblebee scales" (2015). Theses. 699.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/699