Three-dimensional fluid–structure interaction analysis of a flexible flapping wing under the simultaneous pitching and plunging motion

Recent advance in flapping-wing MAVs has led to greater attention being paid to the interaction between the structural dynamics of the wing and its aerodynamics, both of which are closely related to the performance of a flapping wing. In this paper, an improved computational framework to simulate a flapping wing is developed. This framework is established by coupling a preconditioned Navier–Stokes solution and a co-rotational beam analysis with a restrained warping degree of freedom. Validation of the present framework is performed by a comparison with examples from either earlier analyses or experiments. Further, a numerical analysis of a wing under simultaneous pitching and plunging motion is examined. The results are compared with those obtained with a wing under pure plunging motion, in order to assess the additional motion effect within a spanwise flexible wing. The comparison shows different aerodynamic characteristics induced by the flexibility of the wing, which can be beneficial.