flutter testing; aircraft flight envelope; excitation; flight control
Abstract :
[en] Flutter testing is aimed at demonstrating that the aircraft flight envelope is flutter free.
Response measurements from deliberate excitation of the structure are used to identify and track
frequency and damping values against velocity. In this paper, the common approach of using a flight
control surface to provide the excitation is examined using a mathematical model of a wing and
control surface whose rotation is restrained by a simple actuator. In particular, it is shown that it is
essential to use the demand signal to the actuator as a reference signal for data processing. Use of the
actuator force (or strain) or control angle (or actuator displacement) as a reference signal is bad
practice because these signals contain response information. It may also be dangerous in that the
onset of flutter may not be seen in the test results.
Disciplines :
Aerospace & aeronautics engineering
Author, co-author :
Wright, Jan R; University of Manchester > School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Wong, Jerry; University of Manchester > School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Cooper, Jonathan E; University of Manchester > School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Dimitriadis, Grigorios ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Intéractions fluide structure et aérodynamique expérimentale
Language :
English
Title :
On the use of control surface excitation in flutter testing
Publication date :
2003
Journal title :
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part G, Journal of Aerospace Engineering
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