Numerical Analysis of the Ground Effect on Insect Hovering*

The ground effect on insect hovering is investigated using an immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method to solve the two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. A virtual model of an elliptic foil with oscillating translation and rotation near a ground is used. The objective of this study is to deal with the ground effect on the unsteady forces and vortical structures and to get the physical insights in the relevant mechanisms. Two typical insect hovering modes, i.e., normal and dragonfly hovering mode, are examined. Systematic computations have been carried out for some parameters, and the ground effect on the unsteady forces and vortical structures is analyzed.