https://github.com/vitordmarchiori/flappingbeamsimulation

Dynamic simulation of a flexible UAV flapping wing with solar energy harvesting using FEM techniques. Includes deformation and irradiance animations, energy efficiency analysis, and parameter studies.
https://github.com/vitordmarchiori/flappingbeamsimulation

dynamic-simulation energy-harvesting finite-element-method flapping-wing python solar-energy structural-simulation uav

Last synced: 5 months ago
JSON representation

Dynamic simulation of a flexible UAV flapping wing with solar energy harvesting using FEM techniques. Includes deformation and irradiance animations, energy efficiency analysis, and parameter studies.

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/vitordmarchiori/flappingbeamsimulation
• Owner: vitordmarchiori
• License: mit
• Created: 2025-04-28T17:36:16.000Z (7 months ago)
• Default Branch: main
• Last Pushed: 2025-05-13T19:05:08.000Z (6 months ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-06-01T22:38:08.923Z (6 months ago)
• Topics: dynamic-simulation, energy-harvesting, finite-element-method, flapping-wing, python, solar-energy, structural-simulation, uav
• Language: Python
• Homepage:
• Size: 29 MB
• Stars: 1
• Watchers: 1
• Forks: 0
• Open Issues: 0
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE.txt

Awesome Lists containing this project

README

          
# 🛩️ Flapping Beam Simulation with Solar Energy Harvesting – Flapping-Wing UAV

This project simulates, analyzes, and visualizes the structural behavior of a flapping-wing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) wing equipped with solar panels along its surface.

It uses a **dynamic Euler-Bernoulli beam model**, discretized via the **1D Finite Element Method (FEM)**, and integrates real-time **solar irradiance calculation** during the flapping motion.



  



---

## 📦 Project Structure

- `simulate_beam()` – Performs the time-domain simulation of beam deflection, rotation, and irradiance capture.

- `animate_beam()` – Animates the flapping deformation with Hermitian interpolation and node tracking.

- `animate_irradiance()` – Animates and compares irradiance distributions across multiple configurations.

- **Automatic CSV/PNG/MP4 generation** for all key outputs.

---

## 🔧 Requirements

- Python 3.8+

- Required Libraries:

  - `numpy`

  - `matplotlib`

  - `pandas`

Optional:

  - `Pillow` or `ffmpeg` (for enhanced animation rendering)

---

## 🚀 Features and Functionality

Upon running the main script:

✅ Performs transient simulation using Newmark-beta integration  

✅ Visualizes beam deflection (with Hermite interpolation) and irradiance over time  

✅ Saves high-resolution `.mp4` animations and `.png` snapshots  

✅ Exports full simulation data to `.csv` for post-processing

---

## 📊 Outputs Generated

| Output | Description |

|--------|-------------|

| `beam_animation.mp4` | Beam flapping with real node motion and interpolation |

| `irradiance_animation.mp4` | Time-evolving irradiance distribution (comparative) |

| `energy_per_panel.png` | Energy harvested by each panel |

| `irradiance_final_step.png` | Irradiance snapshot at final time step |

| `nodal_displacements.csv` | Displacement time-history of each node |

| `irradiance.csv` | Irradiance time-history per element |

| `power.csv` | Instantaneous power received by each panel |

---

## 🎯 Objectives

- Quantify the effect of **beam flexibility and motion** on energy harvesting.

- Evaluate **parametric changes** (amplitude, area, frequency) and their outcomes.

- Enable **visual analysis** of physical and energetic behavior of flapping wings.

---

## 🧠 Possible Extensions

- Implement spatially varying **EI(x)** profiles

- Include **aerodynamic forces and damping**

- Add **solar incidence angle modeling** and sun tracking

- Use **optimization or ML** for performance tuning

---

## 🛠️ Customization

You can easily adjust:

| Parameter         | Description                            |

|------------------|----------------------------------------|

| `amplitude`       | Vertical motion at the driven node     |

| `E`, `I_default`  | Beam stiffness                         |

| `freq`, `amp_alt` | Frequency and amplitude of flapping    |

| `A`, `A_alt`      | Area of each solar panel               |

| `T`, `dt`         | Simulation time and time step          |

These are defined in the **Global Parameters** section of the script.

---

## 📌 Final Notes

- The model is modular and expandable.

- All simulations are fully **offline and deterministic**.

- Graphics are **publication-quality**, saved in high-resolution.

- Built for clarity, analysis, and educational exploration.