On the vein-stiffening membrane structure of a dragonfly hind wing

Aiming at exploring the excellent structural performance of the vein-stiffening membrane structure of dragonfly hind wings, we analyzed two planar computational models and three 3D computational models with cambered corrugation based on the finite element method. It is shown that the vein size in different zones is proportional to the magnitude of the vein internal force when the wing structure is subjected to uniform out-of-plane transverse loading. The membrane contributes little to the flexural stiffness of the planar wing models, while exerting an immense impact upon the stiffness of the 3D wing models with cambered corrugation. If a lumped mass of 10% of the wing is fixed on the leading edge close to the wing tip, the wing fundamental frequency decreases by 10.7%∼13.2%; if a lumped mass is connected to the wing via multiple springs, the wing fundamental frequency decreases by 16.0%∼18.0%. Such decrease in fundamental frequency explains the special function of the wing pterostigma in alleviating the wing quivering effect. These particular features of dragonfly wings can be mimicked in the design of new-style reticulately stiffening thin-walled roof systems and flapping wings in novel intelligent aerial vehicles.

[1]  Kang Hai Tan,et al.  Interactive Mechanical Model for Shear Strength of Deep Beams , 2004 .

[2]  Ian Liddell,et al.  Design and Construction of the Millennium Dome, UK , 1999 .

[3]  U. Norberg.  Structure, form, and function of flight in engineering and the living world. , 2002 .

[4]  Z. Li,et al.  A co-rotational formulation for 3D beam element using vectorial rotational variables , 2006 .

[5]  K. S. Kim,et al.  Linear and Geometrically nonlinear analysis of plates and shells by a new refined non-conforming triangular plate/shell element , 2005 .

[6]  Bassam A. Izzuddin,et al.  An enhanced co‐rotational approach for large displacement analysis of plates , 2005 .

[7]  R. Wootton.  THE MECHANICAL DESIGN OF INSECT WINGS , 1990 .

[8]  R. Cook,et al.  Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis , 1974 .

[9]  T. Daniel,et al.  The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 2989-2997 © 2003 The Company of Biologists Ltd , 2003 .

[10]  Zhang Qilin,et al.  A Study on Pre-Tension Measurement of Membrane Structures , 2005 .

[11]  Wootton,et al.  Smart engineering in the mid-carboniferous: how well could palaeozoic dragonflies Fly? , 1998, Science.

[12]  Mamoru Kawaguchi,et al.  Optimum shapes of a cable dome structure , 1999 .

[13]  O. C. Zienkiewicz,et al.  Analysis of thick and thin shell structures by curved finite elements , 1970 .

[14]  Loc Vu-Quoc,et al.  An efficient co‐rotational formulation for curved triangular shell element , 2007 .

[15]  Jacob Shapiro,et al.  Principles of helicopter engineering , 1955 .

[16]  Simultaneous measurement of the shape and thickness of a dragonfly wing , 1996 .

[17]  Z. X. Li,et al.  A mixed co‐rotational formulation of 2D beam element using vectorial rotational variables , 2006 .

[19]  Ruediger Dillmann,et al.  Biologically Motivated Control of Walking Machines , 2005 .

[20]  Koji Tsuyuki,et al.  Wing Morphology of Some Insects , 2000 .

[21]  Azuma,et al.  Aerodynamic characteristics of the wings and body of a dragonfly , 1996, The Journal of experimental biology.

[22]  Ian F. C. Smith,et al.  Adjustable Tensegrity Structures , 2003 .

[23]  Amir Mirmiran,et al.  Special Structures: Past, Present, and Future , 2002 .

[24]  L. Vu-Quoc,et al.  A 9-node co-rotational quadrilateral shell element , 2008 .

[25]  R. Norberg,et al.  The pterostigma of insect wings an inertial regulator of wing pitch , 1972, Journal of comparative physiology.

[26]  Wei Shyy,et al.  Flapping and flexible wings for biological and micro air vehicles , 1999 .

[27]  Alan Holgate.  Aesthetics of thin-walled structures , 1990 .

[28]  Lieping Ye,et al.  Large-Span Woven Web Structure Made of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer , 2007 .

[29]  R. Dudley.  The Biomechanics of Insect Flight: Form, Function, Evolution , 1999 .

[30]  C. Ellington.  The novel aerodynamics of insect flight: applications to micro-air vehicles. , 1999, The Journal of experimental biology.

[31]  Joan Lasenby,et al.  Simo-Vu Quoc rods using Clifford algebra , 1999 .

[32]  A. Ibrahimbegovic.  On finite element implementation of geometrically nonlinear Reissner's beam theory: three-dimensional curved beam elements , 1995 .

[33]  Y. K. Cheung,et al.  A refined non-linear non-conforming triangular plate/shell element , 2003 .

[34]  Shigeru Sunada,et al.  The Relationship Between Dragonfly Wing Structure and Torsional Deformation , 1998 .

[35]  J. C. Simo,et al.  A three-dimensional finite-strain rod model. Part II: Computational aspects , 1986 .

[36]  M. O. Tokhi,et al.  Climbing and Walking Robots - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Climbing and Walking Robots and the Support Technologies for Mobile Machines, CLAWAR 2005, London, UK, September 13-15, 2005 , 2006, CLAWAR.

[37]  T. Daniel,et al.  The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 2979-2987 © 2003 The Company of Biologists Ltd , 2022 .

[38]  A B Kesel,et al.  Biomechanical aspects of the insect wing: an analysis using the finite element method , 1998, Comput. Biol. Medicine.