A User-Friendly Formulation of the Newtonian Dynamics for the Coupled Wing-Body System in Insect Flight

Abstract

We establish a user-friendly matrix formulation of the Newtonian dynamics for the free flight of an insect. In our formulation, we can easily change the number of insect wings, prescribe either the kinematics of each wing relative to the body or the torque on each wing exerted by the body, and allow for the dependence of fluid force and torque on acceleration. The implementation of the formulation is straightforward.