Structural characterization, optimization, and failure analysis of a Human-Powered Ornithopter

The objective of this work was to develop an analysis framework for the structural design of the Human-Powered Ornithopter (HPO). This framework was used in a kinematicaerostructural optimizer for flapping-wing flight ( Ornithia), as well as analytically to design the HPO, and focused on three goals. First was the development of an accurate and computationally inexpensive finite-element method, to be integrated with Ornithia, which would capture the geometric nonlinearity of the aerostructural interaction of the wing when subjected the large deformations in flight. Second was the assembly of a model by which the aircraft primary structure, the wing main spar especially, could be exactly characterized and designed. Third was the establishment of a process and toolbox for failure analysis which could be applied universally in the design of the HPO. The validation and tuning of these models involved extensive testing on prototype carbon fiber composite components.