A Study of Two-Dimensional Panel Flutter

Author: Lock, Malcolm Harvey

Year: 1961

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Fung, Yuan-cheng

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Aeronautics; Mathematics

DOI: 10.7907/NZ2V-H267

Abstract

An investigation of the problem of the flutter of two-dimensional flat panels is undertaken. The research is largely devoted to investigating the adequacy of the ideal flutter theory that has been employed to predict flutter boundaries for such panels. A series of panel flutter experiments carried out in the GALCIT 4” x 10” transonic wind tunnel at Mach numbers up to 1.5 are described in detail. Before the results of these experiments are compared with the predictions of the theory some further analytical studies of the flutter problem are presented that enable a more critical comparison of theory and experiment to be made. These analyses treat some aspects of the problems of transonic and supersonic panel flutter. The nature of the energy exchange at flutter is also considered. This latter study throws considerable light upon the flutter process as described by the ideal theory and also clarifies the breakdown of certain approximate unsteady aerodynamic theories in the low supersonic flow region (1 < M < 1.5). Comparison of theory and experiment reveals considerable differences between the theoretical and experimental flutter boundaries at the lower supersonic Mach numbers. The agreement between theory and experiment improves at Mach numbers above about 1.4. The possible sources of the apparent inadequacy of the theory at the lower supersonic Mach numbers are discussed.

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