Parametric FEM-based analysis on adaptive vein morphology of dragonfly wings toward material efficiency

This study explores how the morphological adaptations of dragonfly wing veins contribute to structural efficiency and material economy to inspire lightweight architectural design strategies. Through digital modelling and finite element analysis (FEA), six parametric models of wing structures were developed with variations in their vein diameter, cross-sectional profile, and thickness. Implemented through parametric software, these models were analyzed under simulated loading conditions to assess their structural performance. The results demonstrate that hollow, tapering, and adaptively shaped veins can reduce material weight by up to 80% while maintaining structural integrity. The highest material efficiency was observed in models incorporating both diameter and thickness variation, validating the role of adaptive morphology in response to local stress. These findings provide a quantifiable foundation for translating the biomimetic principles of dragonfly wings into a structural optimization algorithm and open pathways for their application in lightweight cantilevered structural design.