Aeroelastic study of flexible flapping wings by a coupled lattice Boltzmann-finite element approach with immersed boundary method

Wings are modeled by geometrically nonlinear, elastic beam finite elements and structure dynamics is solved by the time discontinuous Galerkin method. Fluid-structure interface conditions are handled using the immersed boundary method. The resultant numerical approach combines simplicity and high computational efficiency. A Monte Carlo simulation strategy is employed to characterize the flight behavior subjected to lateral wind. Various scenarios are discussed.