Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2026
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
First Advisor
Panos S. Shiakolas
Second Advisor
Brian Dennis
Third Advisor
Vijay Gopal
Fourth Advisor
Shiyao Lin
Abstract
Insect-like wing structures are studied in the literature for applications as propellers for micro-air vehicles (MAV). These propellers could be equipped with embodied intelligence that generates passive motion based on active inputs. Insect wings consist for an elastic membrane with a network of dendritic veins whose pattern give the wind its unique structure and deformation during flapping motion.
In this research, a simplified biomimetic insect-wing model based on elastic rod backbone behavior is developed assuming it to have discrete rectangular cross-sections along its length. The motion analysis of the joint segments was performed using robotic kinematic and dynamic theory based on the modified Denavit-Hartenberg (mDH) parameters. With this approach, the kinematic deformation shape and the aerodynamic loads causes deformation acting on the wing are related through the base force and moment. vi The wing target shape of pure torsion under three different angles of attack AoAi = {5,10,15} deg are evaluated. The model also includes different twist directions for each angle of attack. The mass and material properties for each elastic rod link cause bending deformation of the elastic rod under its own weight, resulting in a shape error with the defined target shape.
An optimization approach was developed and implemented in MATLAB, to minimize the error between the target and actual wing shapes by identifying the width and thickness of each link/joint segment. Then, the optimized no-load wing, was subjected to a uniform wind velocity in the z-direction to induce torsional deformation in the wing. The aerodynamic analysis assumed inviscid flow conditions. Subsequently, the cross-sectional shape optimization was performed again to minimize the errors in the twist angle while satisfying the target shape optimization results. The optimization results for all the cases analyzed showed a tendency to maximize stiffness at the wing base and minimize it near the center of the wingspan. The optimized wing structures were prototyped using photopolymerization based additive manufacturing.
Wind tunnel testing was performed to assess the validity of the proposed modeling approach and models. The deformation of the wing under the same aerodynamic angles of attack was evaluated using image capture and analysis. The results show that the twist is more prominent near the center of the wing, and reduces along the wing chord direction of the cross-section, since the optimization was done for one-dimensional elastic rod vii backbone, but not for two-dimensional cross-sectional area. Cross-sectional shape modifications in aerodynamic and biomimetic approaches are required for future study.
Keywords
Insnect-like wing structure, Micro aerial vehicle, Soft robotics, Shape optimization, Biomimetics, Wind tunnel test, Additive manufacturing
Disciplines
Aeronautical Vehicles | Applied Mechanics | Manufacturing
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Suzuki, Rui, "Modeling, Analysis and Testing of Insect-like Wing Structure" (2026). Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses. 5.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/mechaerospace_theses2/5