Linear flutter prediction using symbolic programming

Abstract

A procedure is developed to predict the speed and frequency at which flutter occurs, based upon the use of symbolic programming. The approach performs the computation in a single step and does not require the repeated calculations at various speeds required when using the classical v.g. method. By curvefitting aeroelastic response data it is possible to find a polynomial representation of the unsteady aerodynamics. Making use of this approximation eliminates the need for iterative frequency matching schemes. The procedure is validated upon a number of simulated aeroelastic systems.