Frequency lock-in phenomenon for self-sustained roll oscillations of rectangular wings undergoing a forced periodic pitching motion

Abstract

The free-to-roll behaviour of rigid and membrane rectangular wings with an aspect ratio of two was studied in wind tunnel experiments conducted at a chord Reynolds number of Rec = 46 000. Self-excited roll oscillations resulting from the fluid-structure interaction were studied in forced sinusoidal pitching motion in order to simulate gust encounters of small air vehicles. For the dynamic pitching cases, the frequency and phase of the self-excited roll oscillations can become synchronized (or locked-in) with the fundamental pitching frequency and its subharmonics. This is believed to be the first documented example of synchronization for this type of fluid-structure interaction. Depending on the amplitude and frequency of excitation (pitching motion), there are regions of decreased roll oscillations, which may be important for the gust response of small vehicles.