This paper contributes to research on the mechanization of flapping-wing flight through the modelling of insect wings. Following Smith, Wilkin and Williams who model the aerodynamic forces on the wings of a tethered sphingid moth using an unsteady panel method, this paper focuses on a descrepancy identified by Smioth et al between measured and calculated aerodynamic forces at the extreme upstroke of the wing beat when the wing is modelled as a rigid structure. It is hypothesized that the descrepancy between measured and calculated forces is due to the absence of flexibility in the model and that the instantaneous aerodynamic angle of attack at the upstroke in the wing beat cycle will be reduced with a flexible wing. Flexibility effects are therefore taken into account by modelling the moth wing as a linearly elastic structure using finite elements. Results indicate, however, that the lift is increased on the downstroke and remains unchanged on the upstroke. Given that the hypothesis is not confirmed it is surmized that the discrepancy may be due to the absence of leading edge thrust in the model, in combination with flexibility.
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