Coupled fluid-structure simulation of a flapping wing using free multibody dynamics software

Abstract

Computer simulations offer invaluable insights into fluid-structure interaction phenomena, increasing our understanding of complex behaviors within fluid flows and enabling predictions of consequential effects. This paper explores flapping wing simulation using an original toolchain based on free software. The structural domain is modeled using multibody dynamics, interfaced with arbitrary fluid dynamics solvers through a general-purpose multiphysics coupling library. The proposed toolchain is validated against benchmark models, demonstrating its effectiveness in various applications. Our study, inspired by experimental ones, applies this coupling to investigate the hydroelastic behavior of a flexible wing. Wing motion characteristics, structural properties, and convergence criteria are analyzed through numerical simulations. While achieving appreciable agreement with experimental data on wing motion ratios, challenges in dealing with large displacements have been identified. Nonetheless, the present study provides valuable insights into fluid-structure interactions, laying the groundwork for future refinements in computational modeling techniques and advancing the understanding of bio-inspired flight mechanisms.