Journal
JOURNAL OF FLUIDS AND STRUCTURES
Volume 28, Issue -, Pages 72-88Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2011.08.009
Keywords
Flapping flight; Low Reynolds number flow; Laminar-turbulent transition; Laminar separation bubble; Fluid-structure interaction; Aeroelasticity
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Funding
- German Research Foundation (DFG) [SPP 1207]
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In this paper, a coupling simulation methodology is applied to investigate the fluid flow around a light and flexible airfoil based on a handfoil of a seagull. A finite element model of the flexible airfoil is fully coupled to the flow solver by using a load and displacement transfer as well as a fluid grid deformation algorithm. The flow field is characterized by a laminar-turbulent transition at a Reynolds number of Re=100 000, which takes place along a laminar separation bubble. An unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes flow solver is used to take this transition process into account by comparison of a critical N-factor with the N-factor computed by the e(N)-method. Results of computations have shown that the flexibility of the airfoil has a major influence on the thrust efficiency, the mean drag and lift, and the location of laminar-turbulent transition. The thrust efficiency can be considerably improved by increasing the plunging amplitude and by using a time dependent airfoil stiffness, inspired by the muscle contraction of birds. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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