Flutter analysis of rotary laminated composite structures using higher-order kinematics

Abstract

The flutter analysis of rotary laminated structures has been performed using Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). CUF is a one-dimensional higher-order structural model, in which the displacement at the cross-section is the only unknown parameter. The cross-sectional displacement fields of the model are defined using the Lagrange- and Taylor expansion. The quasi-steady and unsteady theories (Theodorsen and Loewy) have been used to apply the aerodynamic force. Subsequently, the equation of motion is defined in ‘fundamental nucleus’ form using Hamilton’s principle. The engineering solution of the flutter condition has been obtained by using p-k method. The computational studies of flutter analysis have been done for various rotor hub, lamination sequence, and structural models. The regular, irregular plies and arbitrary fiber orientation of the orthotropic structures have also been considered. The present study suggests that the proposed CUF model can obtain an aeroelastic solution of rotary structure in a computationally and economically efficient manner.