Numerical analysis of an elasto-flexible wing configuration using computational fluid structural simulations

Abstract

In the present work, different numerical approaches dealing with fluid and structural interaction models are introduced to simulate the aerodynamics and structural behavior of 2D elasto-flexible wings. In order to verify the models, the results are compared with the experimental data based on wind tunnel investigations conducted at the Institute of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics of the Technische Universität München. The results show a good agreement while the findings are to some extent similar to sailwing configurations: the lift is higher than on the rigid counterpart geometry whereas the drag is nearly equivalent and the stall region is smoother and appears delayed.