Aeroelasticity - In General and Flutter Phenomenon

Abstract

Aeroelasticity phenomena involve the study of the interaction between aerodynamic forces and elastic forces (static aeroelasticity), aerodynamic forces, inertia forces and elastic forces (dynamic aeroelasticity), and aerodynamic forces, inertia forces, elastic forces and control laws (aero-servoelasticity). Modern aircraft structures may be very flexible and this flexibility of the airframe makes aeroelastic study an important aspect of aircraft design and verification procedures. Wing torsional divergence and flutter are the two major aeroelastic phenomena considered in aircraft design. Divergence is a static instability which occurs when the static aerodynamic effects counteract the torsional stiffness of the structure. Flutter is a dynamic aeroelastic instability characterized by sustained oscillation of structure arising from interaction between the elastic, inertial and aerodynamic forces acting on the body. The present paper gives a fragrance of static and dynamic aeroelasticity problems aiming the readers to get an idea about the subject.