Simulation of fatigue crack propagation in insect cuticle

The wings of locust are biological composite structures with considerable mechanical properties. The cuticle which is the main component of the wings is the second most common natural composite material in the world. Interestingly, the wings of the insect can withstand high dynamic mechanical stresses during flight. This paper investigates the fatigue behavior of the locust wings and introduces a numerical procedure to simulate the fatigue crack propagation in insect wings. In this research, a numerical model of locust wing is developed using image processing technique. Crack propagation is simulated by using virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). This technique is used to calculate the strain energy release rate at the crack tip. Paris’ law is employed to predict the number of cycles before damage. The results are found to be in good agreement with the previously reported experimental data.