Numerical Investigation for a Two-Dimensional Moving Flapping Wing

The aerodynamic performance of a moving flapping wing is investigated numerically using a fluid–solid interaction model. The flow field is assumed to be two-dimensional, viscous, unsteady, and incompressible. Galerkin-least/squares finite element method is used to account for the convective nature of the flow field. The flow solver is coupled with the rigid body equations of motion describing the movement of the flapping wing. An interface-capturing technique is developed and tailored to the present model to capture the flapping wing during its movement. The developed algorithm is validated against published data with a great degree of success. Then, simulations for a flapping wing with a stationary center of gravity and free center of gravity motion, are performed. This is followed by a parametric study through which the effects of the wing’s initial position, maximum flapping angle, Reynolds number, the mass of the wing, the gravitational acceleration, and the critical frequency for each Reynolds number are studied. Finally, the voluntary vertical takeoff of a fruit fly, Drosophila Melanogaster is simulated using the proposed model. © World Scientific Publishing Company.