The need for higher-order averaging in the stability analysis of hovering, flapping-wing flight

Haithem E. Taha, Sevak Tahmasian, Craig A. Woolsey, Ali H. Nayfeh, Muhammad R. Hajj

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

Because of the relatively high flapping frequency associated with hovering insects and flapping wing micro-air vehicles (FWMAVs), dynamic stability analysis typically involves direct averaging of the time-periodic dynamics over a flapping cycle. However, direct application of the averaging theorem may lead to false conclusions about the dynamics and stability of hovering insects and FWMAVs. Higher-order averaging techniques may be needed to understand the dynamics of flapping wing flight and to analyze its stability. We use second-order averaging to analyze the hovering dynamics of five insects in response to high-amplitude, high-frequency, periodic wing motion. We discuss the applicability of direct averaging versus second-order averaging for these insects.

Original languageEnglish
Article number016002
JournalBioinspiration and Biomimetics
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2015

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