Station Functions and Air Density Variations in Flutter Analysis

Abstract

T TWO STUDIES HERE REPORTED are phases of a broad investigation of techniques of flutter analysis made for the Bureau of Aeronautics of the Navy Department [Contract Noa(s)-8790]. More complete accounts of the work, with full details of sample computations, are contained in the reports submitted to the Bureau. Companion reports cover applications of the Station Function method to the vibration and flutter analysis of a twin-engined aircraft and the development of methods of making and evaluating vibration tests on wings with and without concentrated masses at subcritical air speeds. All these reports may be obtained through the Bureau of Aeronautics. Contributions to the two studies covered by the present paper were made by G. Zartarian, S. M. Haley, G. Fotieo, H. J. Cunningham, P. T. Hsu, and E.'Moll0Christensen. Early survey work on the density variation scheme was done by J. Stevens, now with Chance Vought Aircraft; in some of the later work on the scheme, I. Spielberg, from Wright Field, took part. Appreciation is expressed to the Bureau of Aeronautics for its permission of the use of the material for this paper.