Session: 4.1.1 - Interactions in Bio-Inspired Propulsion

Paper Number: 158216

158216 - Flight Performance and Mechanosensory Response to Spanwise Wing Damage in Blue Bottle Flies 

Abstract: 

The blue bottle fly (Calliphora vomitoria) is an extraordinary insect capable of rapid and agile flight, even under challenging environmental conditions. Its remarkable flight capabilities are achieved through a sophisticated interplay of aerodynamic forces and the structural properties of its wings. The wings’ ability to flex and deform during flight enables efficient lift generation and energy optimization, governed largely by their flexural stiffness. Understanding this interplay is critical for elucidating insect flight mechanics and developing bioinspired micro aerial vehicles (MAVs). This study investigates the aerodynamic and structural performance of blue bottle fly wings under varying reduced stiffness (𝐾) scenarios for the forward flight kinematics. Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations were conducted using an in-house computational framework that integrates two solvers: a CFD solver based on the immersed boundary method and a structural solver for finite element analysis. These solvers are coupled in a two-way manner to capture the dynamic interactions between aerodynamic loads and structural deformations during flapping motion. The simulations analyze two configurations: wings composed solely of a flexible membrane and wings incorporating both the membrane and veins. Different reduced stiffness values were simulated for each configuration to investigate the relationship between flexural properties and flight performance.

Results reveal that reduced stiffness significantly impacts lift generation, deformation patterns, and aerodynamic efficiency. Wings with lower 𝐾 values exhibited greater flexibility but a decline in lift output, highlighting a tradeoff between structural adaptability and aerodynamic performance. The wing with 𝐾=6 demonstrated optimal performance, generating approximately 80% of the lift output of a reconstructed natural wing while maintaining energy efficiency. The presence of veins played a critical role in enhancing structural resilience and aerodynamic stability. Wings with veins exhibit a balanced deformation pattern, with increased chordwise deformation coupled with stable spanwise deformation. This structural integrity minimizes energy loss and ensures better load distribution during flapping. Real insect wings, such as those of the blue bottle fly, naturally feature vein-membrane integration, a design that optimally balances flexibility and stiffness. In comparison, membrane-only wings lack the structural reinforcement provided by veins, resulting in uniform deformation under similar aerodynamic loads (not like the real insects). The presence of veins also influences flow patterns around the wings. Simulations reveal bigger trailing edge vortices in the membrane-vein configuration (because of more deformation of trailing edge) compared to membrane-only wings. This improved aerodynamic stability enhances lift production and reduces drag, contributing to the overall flight efficiency. These findings advance the understanding of the blue bottle fly’s flight mechanics and the crucial role of wing flexural properties. By isolating the effects of reduced stiffness and structural configurations, this research provides critical insights for designing bioinspired MAVs. The results highlight the importance of achieving an optimal balance between wing flexibility and stiffness to maximize lift, energy efficiency, and structural integrity during flight.

Presenting Author: Naeem Haider Case Western Reserve University

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