Flutter and resonances of a flag near a free surface

We investigate the effects of a nearby free surface on the stability of a flexible plate in axial flow. Confinement by rigid boundaries is known to affect flag flutter thresholds and fluttering dynamics significantly, and this work considers the effects of a more general confinement involving a deformable free surface. To this end, a local linear stability is proposed for a flag in axial uniform flow and parallel to a free surface, using one-dimensional beam and potential flow models to revisit this classical fluid–structure interaction problem. The physical behaviour of the confining free surface is characterized by the Froude number, corresponding to the ratio of the incoming flow velocity to that of the gravity waves. After presenting the simplified limit of infinite span (i.e. two-dimensional problem), the results are generalized to include finite-span and lateral confinement effects. In both cases, three unstable regimes are identified for varying Froude number. Rigidly-confined flutter is observed for low Froude number, i.e. when the free surface behaves as a rigid wall, and is equivalent to the classical problem of the confined flag. When the flow and wave velocities are comparable, a new instability is observed before the onset of flutter (i.e. at lower reduced flow speed) and results from the resonance of a structural bending wave and one of the fundamental modes of surface gravity waves. Finally, for large Froude number (low effect of gravity), flutter is observed with significant but passive deformation of the free surface in response of the flag’s displacement.     

Aeroelastic stability of a cantilevered plate in yawed subsonic flow

The aeroelastic stability of cantilevered plates with their clamped edge oriented both parallel and normal to subsonic flow is a classical fluid–structure interaction problem. When the clamped edge is parallel to the flow the system loses stability in a coupled bending and torsion motion known as wing flutter. When the clamped edge is normal to the flow the instability is exclusively bending and is referred to as flapping flag flutter. This paper explores the stability of plates during the transition between these classic aeroelastic configurations. The aeroelastic model couples a classical beam structural model to a three-dimensional vortex lattice aerodynamic model. The aeroelastic stability is evaluated in the frequency domain and the flutter boundary is presented as the plate is rotated from the flapping flag to the wing configuration. The transition between the flag-like and wing-like instability is often abrupt and the yaw angle of the flow for the transition is dependent on the relative spacing of the first torsion and second bending natural frequencies. This paper also includes ground vibration and aeroelastic experiments carried out in the Duke University Wind Tunnel that confirm the theoretical predictions.     

Interaction between a cantilevered-free flexible plate and ideal flow

We develop a new computational model of the linear fluid–structure interaction of a cantilevered flexible plate with an ideal flow in a channel. The system equation is solved via numerical simulations that capture transients and allow the spatial variation of the flow–structure interaction on the plate to be studied in detail. Alternatively, but neglecting wake effects, we are able to extract directly the system eigenvalues to make global predictions of the system behaviour in the infinite-time limit. We use these complementary approaches to conduct a detailed study of the fluid–structure system. When the channel walls are effectively absent, predictions of the critical velocity show good agreement with those of other published work. We elucidate the single-mode flutter mechanism that dominates the response of short plates and show that the principal region of irreversible energy transfer from fluid to structure occurs over the middle portion of the plate. A different mechanism, modal-coalescence flutter, is shown to cause the destabilisation of long plates with its energy transfer occurring closer to the trailing edge of the plate. This mechanism is shown to allow a continuous change to higher-order modes of instability as the plate length is increased. We then show how the system response is modified by the inclusion of channel walls placed symmetrically above and below the flexible plate, the effect of unsteady vorticity shed at the trailing edge of the plate, and the effect of a rigid surface placed upstream of the flexible plate. Finally, we apply the modelling techniques in a brief study of upper-airway dynamics wherein soft-palate flutter is considered to be the source of snoring noises. In doing so, we show how a time-varying mean flow influences the type of instability observed as flow speed is increased and demonstrate how localised stiffening can be used to control instability of the flexible plate.     

Flow field around the flapping flag

The flapping flag is a canonical fluid–structure interaction problem that describes a cantilever plate with flow along its elastic axis. When the flapping flag loses stability it enters a large amplitude Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO). While theoretical models can accurately predict the flutter velocity and frequency, there are still discrepancies between the experimental observations and the theoretical predictions of the post-critical LCO response. This note provides recent flow field visualizations in a single longitudinal plane for a cantilevered aluminum plate in axial flow during its LCO. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) techniques are used to show that the flow over the midspan of the plate is attached even during the violent LCO motion. This observation suggests that potential flow aerodynamic models may be able to capture the essential features in the flow field.     

DEVELOPMENT OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL VISCOUS AEROELASTIC SOLVER FOR NONLINEAR PANEL FLUTTER

A new three-dimensional (3-D) viscous aeroelastic solver for nonlinear panel flutter is developed in this paper. A well-validated full Navier–Stokes code is coupled with a finite-difference procedure for the von Karman plate equations. A subiteration strategy is employed to eliminate lagging errors between the fluid and structural solvers. This approach eliminates the need for the development of a specialized, tightly coupled algorithm for the fluid/structure interaction problem. The new computational scheme is applied to the solution of inviscid two-dimensional panel flutter problems for subsonic and supersonic Mach numbers. Supersonic results are shown to be consistent with the work of previous researchers. Multiple solutions at subsonic Mach numbers are discussed. Viscous effects are shown to raise the flutter dynamic pressure for the supersonic case. For the subsonic viscous case, a different type of flutter behavior occurs for the downward deflected solution with oscillations occurring about a mean deflected position of the panel. This flutter phenomenon results from a true fluid/structure interaction between the flexible panel and the viscous flow above the surface. Initial computations have also been performed for inviscid, 3-D panel flutter for both supersonic and subsonic Mach numbers.     

On bimodal flutter behavior of a flexible airfoil

The dynamic aeroelastic behavior of an elastically supported airfoil is studied in order to investigate the possibilities of increasing critical flutter speed by exploiting its chord-wise flexibility. The flexible airfoil concept is implemented using a rigid airfoil-shaped leading edge, and a flexible thin laminated composite plate conformally attached to its trailing edge. The flutter behavior is studied in terms of the number of laminate plies used in the composite plate for a given aeroelastic system configuration. The flutter behavior is predicted by using an eigenfunction expansion approach which is also used to design a laminated plate in order to attain superior flutter characteristics. Such an airfoil is characterized by two types of flutter responses, the classical airfoil flutter and the plate flutter. Analysis shows that a significant increase in the critical flutter speed can be achieved with high plunge and low pitch stiffness in the region where the aeroelastic system exhibits a bimodal flutter behavior, e.g., where the airfoil flutter and the plate flutter occur simultaneously. The predicted flutter behavior of a flexible airfoil is experimentally verified by conducting a series of systematic aeroelastic system configurations wind tunnel flutter campaigns. The experimental investigations provide, for each type of flutter, a measured flutter response, including the one with indicated bimodal behavior.     

High-frequency plate flutter

Earlier, using the global instability method, the stability of a strip plate in a supersonic gas flow was investigated. In addition to the classical (low-frequency) flutter developing upon the interaction between the plate oscillation modes, a novel (high-frequency) flutter type in which the oscillations are unimodal was detected. In the present study, the effect on the high-frequency flutter of the plate width (earlier only an asymptotic analysis for a width tending to infinity was performed), its damping characteristics, and the presence of a gas at rest on the side opposite the flow is investigated.     

Nonlinear flutter of viscoelastic rectangular plates and cylindrical panels of a composite with a concentrated masses

The problem of flutter of viscoelastic rectangular plates and cylindrical panels with concentrated masses is studied in a geometrically nonlinear formulation. In the equation of motion of the plate and panel, the effect of concentrated masses is accounted for using the δ-Dirac function. The problem is reduced to a system of nonlinear ordinary integrodifferential equations by using the Bubnov-Galerkin method. The resulting system with a weakly singular Koltunov-Rzhanitsyn kernel is solved by employing a numerical method based on quadrature formulas. The behavior of viscoelastic rectangular plates and cylindrical panels is studied and the critical flow velocities are determined for real composite materials over wide ranges of physicomechanical and geometrical parameters.     

Flutter of a viscoelastic strip

The unsteady panel flutter of a viscoelastic strip is studied under the conditions when the pressure of aerodynamic interaction is specified by the relations distinct from the piston theory formulas. It is assumed that the flow velocity vector is directed in parallel to the plate plane at an angle to its edges. Some approximate estimates of the critical flutter speed are obtained.     

The dynamics of two-dimensional cantilevered plates with an additional spring support in axial flow

In this paper, the dynamics of two-dimensional cantilevered flexible plates in axial flow is investigated using a fluid–structure interaction model. An additional spring support of either linear or cubic type is installed at various locations on the plate; its presence qualitatively affects the dynamics of the fluid–structure system. Without the spring, the cantilevered plate loses stability by flutter when the flow velocity exceeds a critical value; as the flow velocity increases further, the system dynamics is qualitatively the same: the plate undergoes symmetric limit cycle oscillations with increasing amplitude. With a linear spring, a state of static buckling is added to the dynamics. Rich nonlinear dynamics can be observed when a cubic spring is considered; the plate may be stable and buckled, and it may undergo either symmetric or asymmetric limit cycle oscillations. Moreover, when the flow velocity is sufficiently high, the plate may exhibit chaotic motions via a period-doubling route.     

Viscous and inviscid interactions of an oblique shock with a flexible panel

The complex self-sustained oscillations arising from the interaction of an oblique shock with a flexible panel in both the inviscid and viscous regimes have been investigated numerically. The aeroelastic interactions are simulated using either the Euler or the full compressible Navier–Stokes equations coupled to the nonlinear von Karman plate equations. Results demonstrate that for a sufficiently strong shock limit-cycle oscillations emerge from either subcritical or supercritical bifurcations even in the absence of viscous separated flow effects. The critical dynamic pressure diminishes with increasing shock strength and can be much lower than that corresponding to standard panel flutter. Significant changes in panel dynamics were also found as a function of the shock impingement point and cavity pressure. For viscous laminar flow above the panel without a shock, high-frequency periodic oscillations appear due to the coupling of boundary-layer instabilities with high-mode flexural deflections. For a separated shock laminar boundary layer interaction, non-periodic self-excited oscillations arise which can result in a significant reduction in the extent of the time-averaged separation region. This finding suggests the potential use of an aeroelastically tailored flexible panel as a means of passive flow control. Forced panel oscillations, induced by a specified variable cavity pressure underneath the panel, were also found to be effective in reducing separation. For both inviscid and viscous interactions, the significant unsteadiness generated by the fluttering panel propagates along the complex reflected expansion/recompression wave system.     

Low speed flutter and limit cycle oscillations of a two-degree-of-freedom flat plate in a wind tunnel

This paper explores the dynamical response of a two-degree-of-freedom flat plate undergoing classical coupled-mode flutter in a wind tunnel. Tests are performed at low Reynolds number (Re~2.5×10⁴), using an aeroelastic set-up that enables high amplitude pitch–plunge motion. Starting from rest and increasing the flow velocity, an unstable behaviour is first observed at the merging of frequencies: after a transient growth period the system enters a low amplitude limit-cycle oscillation regime with slowly varying amplitude. For higher velocity the system transitions to higher-amplitude and stable limit cycle oscillations (LCO) with amplitude increasing with the flow velocity. Decreasing the velocity from this upper LCO branch the system remains in stable self-sustained oscillations down to 85% of the critical velocity. Starting from rest, the system can also move toward a stable LCO regime if a significant perturbation is imposed. Those results show that both the flutter boundary and post-critical behaviour are affected by nonlinear mechanisms. They also suggest that nonlinear aerodynamic effects play a significant role.     

Dynamics of a long tubular cantilever conveying fluid downwards,which then flows upwards around the cantilever as a confined annular flow

A theoretical model is developed for the dynamics of a hanging tubular cantilever conveying fluid downwards; the fluid, after exiting from the free end, is pushed upwards in the outer annular region contained by the cantilever and a rigid cylindrical channel. This configuration thus resembles that of a drill-string with a floating fluid-powered drill-bit. The linear equation of motion is solved by means of a hybrid Galerkin–Fourier method, as well as by a conventional Galerkin method. Calculations are conducted for a very slender system with parameters appropriate for a drill-string, for different degrees of confinement of the outer annular channel; and also for another, bench-top-size experiment. For wide annuli, the dynamics is dominated by the internal flow and, for low flow velocities, the flow increases the damping associated with the presence of the annular fluid. For narrow annuli, however, the annular flow is dominant, tending to destabilize the system, giving rise to flutter at remarkably low flow velocities. The mechanisms underlying the dynamics are also considered, in terms of energy transfer from the fluid to the cantilever and vice versa, as are possible applications of this work.     

Bifurcation and chaos of a flag in an inviscid flow

A two-dimensional model is developed to study the flutter instability of a flag immersed in an inviscid flow. Two dimensionless parameters governing the system are the structure-to-fluid mass ratio M^⁎ and the dimensionless incoming flow velocity U^⁎. A transition from a static steady state to a chaotic state is investigated at a fixed M^⁎=1 with increasing U^⁎. Five single-frequency periodic flapping states are identified along the route, including four symmetrical oscillation states and one asymmetrical oscillation state. For the symmetrical states, the oscillation frequency increases with the increase of U^⁎, and the drag force on the flag changes linearly with the Strouhal number. Chaotic states are observed when U^⁎ is relatively large. Three chaotic windows are observed along the route. In addition, the system transitions from one periodic state to another through either period-doubling bifurcations or quasi-periodic bifurcations, and it transitions from a periodic state to a chaotic state through quasi-periodic bifurcations.     

Flutter of an elastic plate in a channel flow: Confinement and finite-size effects

When a cantilevered plate lies in an axial flow, it is known to exhibit self-sustained oscillations once a critical flow velocity is reached. This flutter instability has been investigated theoretically, numerically and experimentally by different authors, showing that the critical velocity is always underestimated by two-dimensional models. However, it is generally admitted that, if the plate is confined in the spanwise direction by walls, three-dimensionality of the flow is reduced and the two-dimensional models can apply. The aim of this article is to quantify this phenomenon by analysing the effect of the clearance between the plate and the side walls on the flutter instability. To do so, the pressure distribution around an infinite-length plate is first solved in the Fourier space, which allows to develop an analytical model for the pressure jump. This model is then used in real space to compute instability thresholds as a function of the channel clearance, the plate aspect ratio and mass ratio. Our main result shows that, as the value of the clearance is reduced, the convergence towards the two-dimensional limit is so slow that this limit is unattainable experimentally.     

Post-flutter response of a flexible cantilever plate in low subsonic flows

Numerical simulations on the post-flutter response of a flexible cantilever plate are carried out by establishing a nonlinear aeroelastic model. The present study shows that chaotic movements may exist in the three-dimensional panel flutter problems in case of low subsonic flows. In the analysis, time traces, phase-plane plots, Poincare maps as well as power spectral densities are employed to identify the dynamic behavior of the system. It is observed that the plate undergoes period-1, period-3 and non-periodic motions with the increase of inflow velocity. The post-flutter behavior is dominated by both geometric and aerodynamic nonlinearities. Numerical results show that wingtip vortexes are in fact an important source of aerodynamic nonlinearities, which have not been fully studied before. The study also provides a criterion on how to choose a coupling strategy in the nonlinear aeroelastic simulation of a low-aspect-ratio flexible structure in low subsonic flows when the dominant nonlinear effect is different in the post-flutter response.     

LINEAR AND NONLINEAR DYNAMICS OF CANTILEVERED CYLINDERS IN AXIAL FLOW. PART 1: PHYSICAL DYNAMICS

This paper is the first in a three-part study of the dynamics of cantilevered cylinders in axial flow. After an extensive literature review, the physical dynamics of the system is examined; specifically (a) the experimental behaviour of elastomer cylinders in water flow, and (b) the energy transfer mechanisms, discussed from a work–energy perspective without solving the equations of motion. In general, the system loses stability by divergence and, as the flow velocity is increased, it is subject to second- and third-mode flutter, provided that the free end is well-streamlined; if, however, the free end is blunt, these instabilities do not occur. Oscillations are generally three-dimensional (orbital). The experimental observations are in good qualitative agreement with those expected from the energy transfer analysis, and in reasonably good quantitative agreement with solutions of the linearized equation of motion (obtained from Part 3 of this study). For some shapes of the free-end, resonances are observed with a fairly constant Strouhal number.     

Local similarity solution for the flow of a “second-grade” viscoelastic fluid above a moving plate

The boundary layer flow of a viscoelastic fluid of the second-grade type over a rigid continuous plate moving through an otherwise quiescent fluid with constant velocity U is studied. Assuming the flow to be laminar and two-dimensional, local similarity solution is found with fluid's elasticity and plate's withdrawal speed as the main variables. Results are presented for velocity profiles, boundary layer thickness, wall skin friction coefficient and fluid entrainment in terms of the local Deborah number. A marked formation of boundary layer is predicted, even at low Reynolds numbers, provided the Deborah number is sufficiently large. The boundary layer thickness and the wall skin friction coefficient are found to scale with fluid's elasticity—both decreasing the higher the fluid's elasticity. The amount of fluid entrained is also predicted to decrease whenever a fluid exhibits elastic behavior.     

Period-doubling route to chaos in a two-degree-of-freedom flexibly-mounted rigid plate placed in water

Flow-induced instabilities of a flexibly-mounted rigid flat plate placed in water were investigated experimentally, when the plate had either one degree of freedom in the torsional direction or two degrees of freedom in the torsional and transverse directions. Tests were conducted in a re-circulating water tunnel and bifurcation diagrams were used to summarize the system behavior. The 1DoF system became unstable by divergence at a critical flow velocity after which the plate buckled. At higher flow velocities, periodic oscillations were observed and the amplitude of oscillations increased with increasing flow velocity. No other instability was observed at higher flow velocities. In the 1DoF system, the variations in the response frequency were related to the added mass moment of inertia. For the 2DoF system, the plate׳s original stability was lost at a critical flow velocity by divergence followed by a dynamic instability resulting in periodic oscillations, which in turn became unstable giving rise to period-2, period-4 and eventually chaotic oscillations.     

Flutter of spring-mounted flexible plates in uniform flow

A fluid–structure interaction (FSI) system is studied wherein a cantilevered flexible plate aligned with a uniform flow has its upstream end attached to a spring mounting. This allows the entire system to oscillate in a direction perpendicular to that of the flow as a result of the mounting׳s dynamic interaction with the flow-induced oscillations, or flutter, of the flexible plate. We also study a hinged-free rotational-spring attachment as a comparison for the heaving system. This variation on classical plate flutter is motivated by its potential as an energy-harvesting system in which the reciprocating motion of the support system would be tapped for energy production. We formulate and deploy a hybrid of theoretical and computational modelling for the two systems and comprehensively map out their linear-stability characteristics at low mass ratio. Relative to a fixed cantilever, the introduction of the dynamic support in both systems yields lower flutter-onset flow speeds; this is desirable for energy-harvesting applications. We further study the effect of adding an inlet surface upstream of the mount as a means of changing the destabilising mechanism from single-mode flutter to modal-coalescence flutter which is a more powerful instability more suited to energy harvesting. This strategy is seen to be effective in the heaving system. However, divergence occurs in the rotational system for low spring natural frequencies and this would lead to its failure for energy production. Finally, we determine the power-output characteristics for both systems by introducing dashpot damping at the mount. The introduction of damping increases the critical speeds and its variation permits optimal values to be found that maximise the power output for each system. The addition of an inlet surface is then shown to increase significantly the power output of the heaving system whereas this design strategy is not equally beneficial for the rotational system.