Mechanical concept of W-WING whirl flutter aeroelastic demonstrator

Abstract

This paper deals with the mechanical concept of a whirl flutter aeroelastic demonstrator. It works out the previous study on the W-WING demonstrator design and summarises the new achievements. The paper gives a theoretical background of the subjected whirl flutter phenomenon and summarises the whirl flutter occurrence in aerospace practice. The second part is focused on the experimental research of whirl flutter. At first, a brief summary of past main developments in this field is provided. The main part deals with the new aeroelastic demonstrator ‘W-WING’, designed and developed at the VZLU. The demonstrator represents wing and engine of a twin turboprop commuter aircraft. Contrary to the most of past demonstrators, it includes thrusting propeller. The demonstrator allows changes of the main structural parameters influencing whirl flutter stability characteristics. The demonstrator is intended for experimental investigations at the VZLU 3m-diameter low-speed wind tunnel. The results will be used for validation of analytical methods and software tools as well as in the frame of research projects.