Experimental quantification and numerical simulation of unsteady flow conditions during free flight maneuvers of insects

Abstract

This study aimed to numerically simulate aerodynamic forces produced by wing motion of small fruit flies maneuvering freely inside a flight chamber. The kinematic data were derived from high-resolution, high-speed video measurements, tracking fluorescent markers on head, body and wings of the animal. We constructed a geometrical model of the fly and applied the kinematic data to simulate free flight. Based on the calculated velocity and pressure fields, we evaluated vorticity and flight forces. Our numerical simulation confirmed experimentally predicted lift enhancing mechanisms such as the leading edge vortex, rotational circulation and wake capture, and thus appears to be a potent tool to study the impact of body motion on forces and moments during the various forms of flight maneuvers. © 2012 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.