Flutter of an elastic plate under tension

Abstract

The problem of flutter of a tensioned elastic plate is reconsidered on a model of two-dimensional aerodynamic flow over a one-dimensional, infinitely wide plate. The purpose is to clarify the effect of variations in plate bending stiffness on the flutter of a plate under a given tension, and vice versa. On the basis that the flutter mode for the one-dimensional infinitely wide plate is essentially the first plate natural mode for subsonic and low supersonic Mach numbers, and that the dynamic pressure required for flutter is proportional to the square of the first natural mode frequency, it is shown that the membrane paradox disappears for Mach numbers 0 and 1.3, so that reduced bending stiffness reduces the dynamic pressure required for flutter.