Numerical Simulation of Bird Flight Using Both CFD and Computational Flight Dynamics

Abstract

A numerical simulation method taking into account both aerodynamics and flight dynamics has been developed to simulate the flight of a low speed flying object, where it undergoes unsteady deformation. This method can also be applied to simulate the unsteady motion of small vehicles such as micro air vehicles (MAV). In the present study, we take up a bird and demonstrate its flight in the air. In particular the effect of fluid forces on the bird's flying motion is examined in detail, based on CFD × CFD: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Flight Dynamics. It is found from simulated results that this bird can generate lift and thrust enough to fly by flapping its wing. In addition, it can make a level flight by adjusting its oscillation frequency. Thus, the present method is promising to study the aerodynamics and flight dynamics of a moving object with its shape morphing.