2023/04/09 by Chandan Bose, Ignazio Maria Viola, Bose, Chandan +1
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms #FOS: Physical sciences #Fluid Dynamics (physics.flu-dyn) #Fluid Dynamics Simulations and Interactions #Micro and Nano Robotics
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2304.04317
openalex publication_date 2023/04/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
This paper investigates the effect of transverse gusts on the flight dynamics and descent velocity of two-dimensional free-falling permeable plates. Two-way coupled fluid-structure interaction simulations are carried out for a range of Galilei number (Ga) from 10 and 50, nondimensional mass (m) from 0.5 to 2, and a fixed Darcy number of 10-4. The present results show that the plate falls steadily in quiescent flow at the lowest Ga and m values, whereas fluttering and tumbling are observed for increased Ga and /or m. A transverse (horizontal) gust temporarily decreases the descent velocity of the plate in the transient regime and can also uplift the plate. The gust effect increases with the gust ratio, Ga and m. The underlying uplifting mechanism is not directly related to the permeability, and it is thus likely to occur also for impermeable bodies. The present findings might provide insights to interpret the effect of turbulence on the terminal velocity of free-falling bodies and inform the design of insect-scale flyers passively transported by the wind.