A Multibody Dynamics Approach to Study an Insect-Wing Structure

Building a precise model of insect wing structure and investigating its dynamic characteristics are difficult tasks because of its complex nature. In this paper, an in-house code based on a multibody dynamic approach is presented to compute the dynamics of a hawkmoth wing. From the experimental data of a biological wing, a finite element method (FEM) model is firstly constructed, then is used to build an equivalent beam model. From the equivalent beam structural parameters, a Hencky-bar chain model of the wing is created with rigid bodies connected together by bending and torsion springs. The equations of motion are derived using the Lagrange’s equation and solved by a quasi-Newton method. The code is then validated against MSC Adams software. The experimental results of the biological wing and numerical results show good agreement. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.