Research on the Deformation and Aerodynamic Characteristics of Flexible Flapping Wings Mimicking Cicada's Wing

Abstract

Abstract. Flexibility of an insect wing has an important effect on the aerodynamic characteristics. In this paper, deformations and aerodynamic characteristics of flexible flapping wings referred to a real cicada's wing are investigated. Firstly, 3 flexible flapping wing models referred to a real cicada's wing are established. Then, a method of fluid-structure coupling for flexible flapping wings is studied in ANSYS. Finally, deformations as well as lift & drag characteristics of the 3 flexible flapping wings are simulated with the method of fluid-structure coupling. The result indicates that deformations of flexible flapping wings can enhance the aerodynamic performances, and the model whose flexibility is similar to that of a real cicada's wing has better aerodynamic characteristics.