An automated fluid-structure interaction simulation workflow on bristled insect wing’s flexibility research

Insects such as Polynema placentis, characterized by bristled wings, exhibit unique flight mechanics at low Reynolds numbers. While previous studies have explored the aerodynamic advantages of these porous wing structures, the influence of bristle stiffness on aerodynamic performance remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigate the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) dynamics of bristled wings using the OpenFPCI solver, focusing on how variations in bristle stiffness affect flow characteristics and force generation. A high-fidelity FSI framework was developed, incorporating measured mechanical properties of insect bristles and deployed on the ARCHER2 supercomputing platform. To ensure computational robustness and reproducibility, the solver was containerized and integrated into a modular Galaxy workflow. Strong scaling tests confirmed the solver’s parallel performance up to 16 cores. The preliminary result shows the simulation performance of the OpenFPCI solver under the current grid state and constant boundary conditions, which provides an automated basic tool for the subsequent acceleration of the effect of bristle stiffness on the flow and lift coefficient.