Vectorial analysis of flight flutter test results

Abstract

A binary flexure-torsion analysis has been made to check theoretically a method for the prediction of flutter which depends on plotting vectorially the amplitudes of response relative to the exciting force and extracting the relevant damping rate. The results of this calculation are given in the form of graphs both of the vector plots themselves and of the estimated damping rate against forward speed. The estimated damping rates are compared with calculated values. The method has the advantage that, in a flight flutter test, damping can be estimated from continuous excitation records; the method is an extension of the Kennedy and Pancu technique used in ground resonance testing.