Work

Tunable drag drop via flow-induced snap-through in origami

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We leverage the snap-through response of a bistable origami mechanism to induce a discontinuous evolution of drag with flow speed. The transition between equilibrium states is actuated passively by airflow, and we demonstrate that large shape reconfiguration over a small increment of flow velocity leads to a pronounced and sudden drop in drag. Moreover, we show that systematically varying the geometrical and mechanical properties of the origami unit enables the tuning of this drag discontinuity and the critical speed and loading at which it occurs. Experimental results are supported by a theoretical aeroelastic model, which further guides inverse design to identify the combination of structural origami parameters for targeted drag collapse. This approach sheds light on harnessing origami-inspired mechanisms for efficient passive drag control in a fluid environment, applicable for load alleviation or situations requiring swift transitions in aerodynamic performances.

Source: Journal of Fluid Mechanics

DOI: 10.1017/jfm.2024.985

Authors: Rishabh Nain, Tom Marzin, Sophie Ramananarivo

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, École Polytechnique, Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique de l'École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Princeton University

Language: English

Topic: Aeroelasticity and Vibration Control

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Agence Nationale de la Recherche

Award: Origami and kirigami: Tailoring the behavior of flexible surfaces in flows