Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Wootton RJ, Herbert RC, Young PG, Evans KE (2003). Approaches to the structural modelling of insect wings.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci,
358(1437), 1577-1587.
Abstract:
Approaches to the structural modelling of insect wings.
Insect wings lack internal muscles, and the orderly, necessary deformations which they undergo in flight and folding are in part remotely controlled, in part encoded in their structure. This factor is crucial in understanding their complex, extremely varied morphology. Models have proved particularly useful in clarifying the facilitation and control of wing deformation. Their development has followed a logical sequence from conceptual models through physical and simple analytical to numerical models. All have value provided their limitations are realized and constant comparisons made with the properties and mechanical behaviour of real wings. Numerical modelling by the finite element method is by far the most time-consuming approach, but has real potential in analysing the adaptive significance of structural details and interpreting evolutionary trends. Published examples are used to review the strengths and weaknesses of each category of model, and a summary is given of new work using finite element modelling to investigate the vibration properties and response to impact of hawkmoth wings.
Abstract.
Author URL.
Wootton RJ, Evans KE, Herbert R, Smith CW (2000). The hind wing of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål). I. Functional morphology and mode of operation.
J Exp Biol,
203(Pt 19), 2921-2931.
Abstract:
The hind wing of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål). I. Functional morphology and mode of operation.
Detailed morphological investigation, mechanical testing and high-speed cinematography and stroboscopic examination of desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, in flight show that their hind wings are adapted to deform cyclically and automatically through the wing stroke and that the deformations are subtly dependent on the wings' structure: their shape, venation and vein design and the local properties of the membrane. The insects predominantly fly fast forwards, generating most force on the downstroke, and the hind wings generate extra lift by peeling apart at the beginning of the downstroke and by developing a cambered section during the stroke's translation phase through the 'umbrella effect' - an automatic consequence of the active extension of the wings' expanded posterior fan. Bending experiments indicate that most of the hind wing is more rigid to forces from below than from above and demonstrate that the membrane acts as a stressed skin to stiffen the structure.
Abstract.
Author URL.
Publications by year
2003
Wootton RJ, Herbert RC, Young PG, Evans KE (2003). Approaches to the structural modelling of insect wings.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci,
358(1437), 1577-1587.
Abstract:
Approaches to the structural modelling of insect wings.
Insect wings lack internal muscles, and the orderly, necessary deformations which they undergo in flight and folding are in part remotely controlled, in part encoded in their structure. This factor is crucial in understanding their complex, extremely varied morphology. Models have proved particularly useful in clarifying the facilitation and control of wing deformation. Their development has followed a logical sequence from conceptual models through physical and simple analytical to numerical models. All have value provided their limitations are realized and constant comparisons made with the properties and mechanical behaviour of real wings. Numerical modelling by the finite element method is by far the most time-consuming approach, but has real potential in analysing the adaptive significance of structural details and interpreting evolutionary trends. Published examples are used to review the strengths and weaknesses of each category of model, and a summary is given of new work using finite element modelling to investigate the vibration properties and response to impact of hawkmoth wings.
Abstract.
Author URL.
2000
Wootton RJ, Evans KE, Herbert R, Smith CW (2000). The hind wing of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål). I. Functional morphology and mode of operation.
J Exp Biol,
203(Pt 19), 2921-2931.
Abstract:
The hind wing of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål). I. Functional morphology and mode of operation.
Detailed morphological investigation, mechanical testing and high-speed cinematography and stroboscopic examination of desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, in flight show that their hind wings are adapted to deform cyclically and automatically through the wing stroke and that the deformations are subtly dependent on the wings' structure: their shape, venation and vein design and the local properties of the membrane. The insects predominantly fly fast forwards, generating most force on the downstroke, and the hind wings generate extra lift by peeling apart at the beginning of the downstroke and by developing a cambered section during the stroke's translation phase through the 'umbrella effect' - an automatic consequence of the active extension of the wings' expanded posterior fan. Bending experiments indicate that most of the hind wing is more rigid to forces from below than from above and demonstrate that the membrane acts as a stressed skin to stiffen the structure.
Abstract.
Author URL.
Refresh publications