J4 ›› 2016, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (2): 249-260.doi: 10.1016/S1672-6529(16)60298-6

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Aerodynamic Performance of the Locust Wing in Gliding Mode at Low Reynolds Number

Jinwu Xiang, Jianxun Du, Daochun Li, Kai Liu   

  1. School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing 100191, China
  • 收稿日期:2015-09-06 修回日期:2016-03-06 出版日期:2016-04-10 发布日期:2016-04-10
  • 通讯作者: Daochun Li E-mail:lidc@buaa.edu.cn
  • 作者简介:Jinwu Xiang, Jianxun Du, Daochun Li, Kai Liu

Aerodynamic Performance of the Locust Wing in Gliding Mode at Low Reynolds Number

Jinwu Xiang, Jianxun Du, Daochun Li, Kai Liu   

  1. School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing 100191, China
  • Received:2015-09-06 Revised:2016-03-06 Online:2016-04-10 Published:2016-04-10
  • Contact: Daochun Li E-mail:lidc@buaa.edu.cn
  • About author:Jinwu Xiang, Jianxun Du, Daochun Li, Kai Liu

摘要:

Gliding is an important flight mode for insects because it saves energy during long distance flight without wing flapping. In this study, we investigated the influence of locust wing corrugation on the aerodynamic performance in gliding mode at low Reynolds number. Numerical simulations using two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations are applied to study the gliding flight, which reveals the interaction between forewing and hindwing. The lift of the corrugated airfoil in a locust wing decreases from the wing root to the tip. Simulation results show that the pressure drags on the forewing and hindwing increase with an increase in wing thickness; while the lift-drag ratio of the airfoil is marginally affected by the corrugation on the airfoil. Geometric parameters analysis of the locust wing is also carried out, which includes the corrugation height, the corrugation placement and the shapes of leading and trailing edges.

关键词: biological fluid mechanics, corrugated, gliding flight, lift and drag coefficient, locust wing, low Reynolds number

Abstract:

Gliding is an important flight mode for insects because it saves energy during long distance flight without wing flapping. In this study, we investigated the influence of locust wing corrugation on the aerodynamic performance in gliding mode at low Reynolds number. Numerical simulations using two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations are applied to study the gliding flight, which reveals the interaction between forewing and hindwing. The lift of the corrugated airfoil in a locust wing decreases from the wing root to the tip. Simulation results show that the pressure drags on the forewing and hindwing increase with an increase in wing thickness; while the lift-drag ratio of the airfoil is marginally affected by the corrugation on the airfoil. Geometric parameters analysis of the locust wing is also carried out, which includes the corrugation height, the corrugation placement and the shapes of leading and trailing edges.

Key words: biological fluid mechanics, corrugated, gliding flight, lift and drag coefficient, locust wing, low Reynolds number