The analysis of flutter characteristics based on generalized parameters of eigen modes of vibrations

Flutter numerical analysis of a dynamically scaled model (DSM) of a high aspect ratio wing was performed using experimentally obtained generalized parameters of eigen modes of vibrations. The DSM is made of polymer composite materials and is designed for aeroelastic studies in a high-speed wind tunnel. As a result of the analysis, safe operation conditions (flutter limits) of the DSM were determined. The input data to develop the flutter mathematical model are DSM modal test results, i.e. eigen frequencies, mode shapes, modal damping coefficients, and generalized masses obtained from the experiment. The known methods to determine generalized masses have experimental errors. In this work some of the most practical methods to get generalized masses are used: mechanical loading, quadrature component addition and the complex power method. Errors of the above methods were analyzed, and the most reliable methods were selected for flutter analysis. Comparison was made between the flutter analysis using generalized parameters and a pure theoretical one based on developing the mathematical model from the DSM design specifications. According to the design specifications, the mathematical model utilizes the beam-like schematization of the wing. The analysis was performed for Mach numbers from 0.2 to 0.8 and relative air densities of 0.5, 1, 1.5. Comparison of the two methods showed the difference in critical flutter dynamic pressure no more than 6%, which indicates good prospects of the flutter analysis based on generalized parameters of eigen modes.