­­­­Owl-inspired experimental study on flow-induced vibration suppression with aerospace applications

 

By Abdul Raffae

 

Portrait of Abdul Raffae (left) at work in Fluid-Structure Interactions Research Laboratory at UMass-Dartmouth

 

 

In today’s industries, turbulent fluctuation causes flow induced noise that has been a major contribution to noise generation of modern structures. Many aeronautical and turbine application are rapidly developing to ensure noise reduction to better understand and control the acoustic of noise and structural vibration. In my research Fluid-Structure Interactions (FSI) is used to study the deformation or oscillation (Flow-Induced Vibration) of the structure that will go through fatigue failure in long term. In this proposed work, an owl wings will be going through detailed experimental campaign to understand the source of this turbulent and find strategies to suppress the FIV in such flexible structures. Three dominant noise-attenuation factors have been identified in owl wings that includes comb-like structure, trailing-edge feathers, and the velvet-like have been identified.

 

View of the Fluid-Structure Interactions Research Laboratory at UMass-Dartmouth where Abdul conducted his research

 

 

In Fall 2021, a flexible circular cylinder with trailing-edge serration was 3D modeled using SOLIDWORKS software cased from silicone material. This was done thanks to using the re-circulating water tunnel at Professor Banafsheh Seyedaghazadeh‘s Fluid-Structure Interactions Research Laboratory at UMass-Dartmouth. Subsequently, the effects of serrations geometry, length and aspect ratio were studied using FIV response. Since then I have been working closely with the lab to find solutions to the problem. I am planning to publish the result of this research in a peer-reviewed journal. While I cannot provide more details here, I can tell you that the impact of this research is essentially to determine the noise vibration in aeronautical and micro aerial applications. I want to thank Professor Seyedaghazadeh and other colleagues at the lab for their support. The Summer OUR fund provided an opportunity to be on campus and dedicate more time to lab work. I am grateful to the OUR for this unique opportunity.