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At least 181 records · Page 10

Aeroelastic stability and response of rotating structures

A summary of the work performed during the progress period is presented. Analysis methods for predicting loads and instabilities of wind turbines were developed. Three new areas of research to aid the Advanced Turboprop Project (ATP) were initiated and developed. These three areas of research are aeroelastic analysis methods for cascades including blade and disk flexibility; stall flutter analysis; and computational aeroelasticity.

Keith, Theo G., Jr.↗

Derivatives of a statically reduced stiffness matrix with respect to sizing variables

An expression is obtained for the first derivatives with respect to the sizing variables of a statically reduced stiffness matrix that is a nonlinear function of the sizing variables, where the unreduced stiffness matrix is a linear function of the sizing variables. An accepted procedure to reduce the number of degrees of freedom is to eliminate a number of nodal displacements from the degrees of freedom such that the accuracy of the flutter analysis is not significantly affected. In a typical optimization procedure with flutter constraints, the derivative of the stiffness matrix may be used in a form that contains the characteristic vector of the flutter matrix equation and the transpose of the characteristic vector of the adjoint flutter matrix equation corresponding to a particular solution of the flutter equation.

Oconnell, R. F.↗

Flutter at Very High Speeds

This paper is concerned with a discussion of some of the problems of flutter and aeroelasticity that are or may be important at high speeds. Various theoretical procedures for treating high Mach number flutter are reviewed. Application of two of these methods, namely, the Van Dyke method and piston-theory method, is made to a specific example and compared with linear two- and three-dimensional results. It is shown that the effects of thickness and airfoil shape are destabilizing as compared with linear theory at high Mach number. In order to demonstrate the validity of these large predicted effects, experimental flutter results are shown for two rectangular wings at Mach numbers of 6.86 and 3. The results of nonlinear piston-theory calculations were in good agreement with experiment, whereas the results of using two- and three-dimensional linear theory were not. In addition, some results demonstrating the importance of including camber modes in a flutter analysis are shown, as well as a discussion of one case of flutter due to aerodynamic heating.

Runyan, Harry L.↗

Aeroelasticity of Axially Loaded Aerodynamic Structures for Truss-Braced Wing Aircraft

This paper presents an aeroelastic finite-element formulation for axially loaded aerodynamic structures. The presence of axial loading causes the bending and torsional sitffnesses to change. For aircraft with axially loaded structures such as the truss-braced wing aircraft, the aeroelastic behaviors of such structures are nonlinear and depend on the aerodynamic loading exerted on these structures. Under axial strain, a tensile force is created which can influence the stiffness of the overall aircraft structure. This tension stiffening is a geometric nonlinear effect that needs to be captured in aeroelastic analyses to better understand the behaviors of these types of aircraft structures. A frequency analysis of a rotating blade structure is performed to demonstrate the analytical method. A flutter analysis of a truss-braced wing aircraft is performed to analyze the effect of geometric nonlinear effect of tension stiffening on the flutter speed. The results show that the geometric nonlinear tension stiffening effect can have a significant impact on the flutter speed prediction. In general, increased wing loading results in an increase in the flutter speed. The study illustrates the importance of accounting for the geometric nonlinear tension stiffening effect in analyzing the truss-braced wing aircraft.

Aeroelasticity↗

A study of aeroelastic stability for the model support system of the National Transonic Facility

Oscillations of wind-tunnel models have been observed during testing in the National Transonic Facility. These oscillations have been the subject of an extensive investigation. As a part of this effort, a study of the aeroelastic stability of the model support structure has been performed. This structure is mathematically modelled as a wing and conventional flutter analysis is performed. The math model implemented both experimentally and numerically obtained modal characteristics. A technique for illustrating the flutter boundary for wind tunnels is demonstrated. Results indicate that the classical flutter boundary is well above the operating envelope of the facility. However, the analysis indicates a damping-dependent instability is present which is inherent in the design. One possible modification in the design has been evaluated which eliminates the predicted instability.

Strganac, Thomas W.↗

A verification procedure for MSC/NASTRAN Finite Element Models

Finite Element Models (FEM's) are used in the design and analysis of aircraft to mathematically describe the airframe structure for such diverse tasks as flutter analysis and actively controlled landing gear design. FEM's are used to model the entire airplane as well as airframe components. The purpose of this document is to describe recommended methods for verifying the quality of the FEM's and to specify a step-by-step procedure for implementing the methods.

Stockwell, Alan E.↗

Stabilizer flutter investigated by flight test

Flight flutter tests were conducted on an experimental airplane which resulted in the successful prediction of a limited amplitude stabilizer flutter at supersonic speeds. The flutter obtained was unusual in that fore and aft bending of the stabilizer carry-through structure contributed to the flutter condition. During flight tests the impending flutter condition was observed from force per unit amplitude, damping coefficient, and frequency measurements. A description is given of the physical and operational characteristics of the test equipment and telemetering facilities. A flutter analysis using measured modes and incompressible two-dimensional strip air forces yielded a conservative flutter speed. Sled tests of a similar stabilizer configuration had lead to the conclusion that flutter would not be encountered. Certain overall conclusions are reached regarding this particular flight flutter testing program and the need for a concerted research effort in this field.

Baird, E. F.↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Investigation of a 1/20-Scale Model of an Unswept-Wing Jet-Propelled Trainer Airplane

A flutter analysis employing the kernel function for three- dimensional, subsonic, compressible flow is applied to a flutter-tested tail surface which has an aspect ratio of 3.5, a taper ratio of 0.15, and a leading-edge sweep of 30 deg. Theoretical and experimental results are compared at Mach numbers from 0.75 to 0.98. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental flutter dynamic pressures and frequencies is achieved at Mach numbers to 0.92. At Mach numbers from 0.92 to 0.98, however, a second solution to the flutter determinant results in a spurious theoretical flutter boundary which is at a much lower dynamic pressure and at a much higher frequency than the experimental boundary.

Bowman, James S., Jr.↗

Basis Function Approximation of Transonic Aerodynamic Influence Coefficient Matrix

A technique for approximating the modal aerodynamic influence coefficients matrices by using basis functions has been developed and validated. An application of the resulting approximated modal aerodynamic influence coefficients matrix for a flutter analysis in transonic speed regime has been demonstrated. This methodology can be applied to the unsteady subsonic, transonic, and supersonic aerodynamics. The method requires the unsteady aerodynamics in frequency-domain. The flutter solution can be found by the classic methods, such as rational function approximation, k, p-k, p, root-locus et cetera. The unsteady aeroelastic analysis for design optimization using unsteady transonic aerodynamic approximation is being demonstrated using the ZAERO flutter solver (ZONA Technology Incorporated, Scottsdale, Arizona). The technique presented has been shown to offer consistent flutter speed prediction on an aerostructures test wing 2 configuration with negligible loss in precision in transonic speed regime. These results may have practical significance in the analysis of aircraft aeroelastic calculation and could lead to a more efficient design optimization cycle.

Li, Wesley W.↗

Basis Function Approximation of Transonic Aerodynamic Influence Coefficient Matrix

A technique for approximating the modal aerodynamic influence coefficients [AIC] matrices by using basis functions has been developed and validated. An application of the resulting approximated modal AIC matrix for a flutter analysis in transonic speed regime has been demonstrated. This methodology can be applied to the unsteady subsonic, transonic and supersonic aerodynamics. The method requires the unsteady aerodynamics in frequency-domain. The flutter solution can be found by the classic methods, such as rational function approximation, k, p-k, p, root-locus et cetera. The unsteady aeroelastic analysis for design optimization using unsteady transonic aerodynamic approximation is being demonstrated using the ZAERO(TradeMark) flutter solver (ZONA Technology Incorporated, Scottsdale, Arizona). The technique presented has been shown to offer consistent flutter speed prediction on an aerostructures test wing [ATW] 2 configuration with negligible loss in precision in transonic speed regime. These results may have practical significance in the analysis of aircraft aeroelastic calculation and could lead to a more efficient design optimization cycle

Li, Wesley Waisang↗

Ground Vibration Testing at NASA Armstrong, Emphasizing on Passive Aeroelastic Tailored Wing Ground Vibration Test Using Fixed Base Correction Method

How does experimental mechanics contribute to aircraft aeroelastic airworthiness? The aviation community is always improving analysis and testing techniques to realize quicker, cheaper, reliable solutions. A ground vibration test (GVT) is conducted to identify structural mode shapes, frequencies, and damping values to validate analytical models used for flutter analysis, which shows whether a structure has acceptable aeroelastic flutter margins for airworthiness. The FLL recently conducted a GVT of the Passive Aeroelastic Tailored (PAT) Wing using an experimental modal technique called Fixed Base Correction (FBC). The GVT objective was to obtain the PAT wing modal characteristics to compare test results with finite element model (FEM) results for the tow-steered wingbox.

loads testing↗

Structural Tailoring of SSME Blades (vanes)

The engine blade design optimization program STAEBL (Structural Tailoring of Engine Blades) is available at the NASA Lewis computer facility. The analysis capabilities of this program were extended to typical loading conditions for SSME turbopump blades including thermal and pressure loading. Input files for representative SSME blade designs were developed and sample optimization studies for these blades completed. The structural tailoring program combines a general optimization package and a finite element blade analysis package. The analysis package's capabilities include natural frequency, maximum stress, and forced response computation, and fatigue life and flutter analysis. Optimization is performed using the feasible directions method. The current design is modified by perturbing the design variables so that the design constraints are satisfied while the objective function, such as blade weight, is reduced at the maximum rate. The program's geometric design variables include blade thickness distribution, thickness to chord ratios, and root chord.

Rubinstein, R.↗

An influence coefficient method for the application of the modal technique to wing flutter suppression of the DAST ARW-1 wing

The methods used to compute the mass, structural stiffness, and aerodynamic forces in the form of influence coefficient matrices as applied to a flutter analysis of the Drones for Aerodynamic and Structural Testing (DAST) Aeroelastic Research Wing. The DAST wing was chosen because wind tunnel flutter test data and zero speed vibration data of the modes and frequencies exist and are available for comparison. A derivation of the equations of motion that can be used to apply the modal method for flutter suppression is included. A comparison of the open loop flutter predictions with both wind tunnel data and other analytical methods is presented.

Pines, S.↗

Flutter of pairs of aerodynamically interfering delta wings.

To examine the effect on flutter of the aerodynamic interference between pairs of closely spaced delta wings, several structurally uncoupled 1/80th-scale models were studied by experiment and analysis. Flutter test boundaries obtained in NASA Langley's 26-in. transonic blowdown wind tunnel were compared with subsonic analytical results generated using the doublet lattice method. Trends for several combinations of vertical and longitudinal wing separation were determined, showing flutter speed significantly affected in the closely spaced configurations. A new flutter mechanism coupling one wing's first bending mode with the other wing's first torsion mode was predicted and observed.

Chipman, R. R.↗