Enhanced flight performance in non-uniformly flexible wings. Issue 168 (29th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vincent, Lionel; Zheng, Min; Costello, John H.; Kanso, Eva
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Royal Society interface. Volume 17:Issue 168(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07-29
• Subjects: aerodynamics -- tumbling wings -- heterogeneous wing design; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Interdisciplinary research -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0352
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5689

Abstract

Abstract : The flexibility of biological propulsors such as wings and fins is believed to contribute to the higher performance of flying and swimming animals compared with their engineered peers. Flexibility seems to follow a universal design rule that induces bending patterns at about one-third from the distal tip of the propulsor's span. However, the aerodynamic mechanisms that shaped this convergent design and the potential improvement in performance are not well understood. Here, we analyse the effect of heterogeneous flexibility on the flight performance (range and descent angle) of passively tumbling wings. Using experiments, numerical simulations, and scaling analysis, we demonstrate that spanwise tip flexibility that follows this empirical rule leads to improved flight performance. Improvement in flight range seems to be related to flutter-induced drag reduction. This mechanism is independent of the wing's auto-rotation and represents a more general trait of wings with non-uniform tip flexibility.