Modeling and simulation of the hexagonal pattern formation of honeycombs by the immersed boundary method

Abstract

We present a simple mathematical model and numerical simulations of the hexagonal pattern formation of a honeycomb using the immersed boundary method. In our model, we assume that the cells have a circular shape at their inception and that there is a force acting upon the entire circumference of the cell. The net force from the individual cells is a key factor in their transformation from a circular shape to a rounded hexagonal shape. Numerical experiments using the proposed mathematical model confirm the hexagonal patterns observed in honeybee colonies. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.