Design and prevalidation of a bio-inspired musculoskeletal model of a bird : level flapping flight

This master thesis proposes a multiphysics framework coupling biomechanics and aerodynamics for the simulation of bird flight. It presents a biomechanical model based on the anatomy of a bird, which models the wing by articulated segments. It develops a bio-inspired model for locomotion in flapping flight. The present work is devoted, on the one hand, to review, select, adapt, improve, develop and validate methods and tools necessary for this model: build a multi-body model of a bird, characterize the properties of the skeleton and the musculoskeletal system, evaluate the aerodynamic forces, actuate the skeleton in a bio-inspired way, estimate the energetic cost, evaluate and study the kinematics of flight. And, on the other hand, to apply them to a bird of interest (i.e. the Northern Bald Ibis). We describe the key parameters that mark the development of such a musculoskeletal model. We intend to provide the necessary milestones with particular accent on the methodology related to the musculoskeletal model. We chose a modular approach to break down the overall goal into smaller modules. While being able to modify or improve a single module without affecting the rest. Each module contains its own library of sub-functions dedicated to their domain. These modules work together and are organized around the Robotran program.