AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES II

Introduction to Aeroelasticity

Ts. Dr. Haris Ahmad Bin Israr Ahmad

School of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
 4.1 Introduction

• Aeroelasticity – Field of study concerned with the interaction between the

inertial, elastic, and aerodynamic forces acting upon an aircraft structure
exposed to an airstream.

• Inertial Forces are the result of accelerating structural masses

• Elastic forces are the result of the structure attempting to resist any
deformations it is subjected to
• Aerodynamics forces are the result of pressure and skin friction distributions
over the surface of the airframe

• It can be also classified as Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) problem.

 4.1 Introduction
• The interdisciplinary nature of the field can be illustrated as follow:

𝐴𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑠

𝐹𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐
𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑠 𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑐
𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎
𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑠
 4.1 Introduction

AEROELASTICITY

Static Dynamic

Load Dynamic
Divergence Reversal Flutter Buffeting
redistribution Response
 4.1 Introduction
Static Aeroelasticity
Phenomena involving only elastic and aerodynamic forces
• Load distribution: influence of elastic deformations of the structure on the distribution of
aerodynamic pressures over the structure

• Divergence: a static instability of a lifting surface of an aircraft in flight, at a speed called the
divergence speed, where elasticity of the lifting surface plays an essential role in the instability

• Reversal: A condition occurring in flight, at a speed called the control reversal speed, at which
the intended effect of displacing a given component of the control system are completely
nullified by elastic deformations of the structure.
 4.1 Introduction
Static Aeroelasticity – Load Distribution and Divergence
• Aerodynamic center is generally forward of center of twist
• Increasing lift increases the moment at the center of twist
• Increasing moment increases twist
• More twist creates a higher angle of attack which generates more lift
𝐿

𝛼+𝜃 𝑀𝑜 𝐾

𝐴𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑐
𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑐
𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑡
(𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟)
 4.1 Introduction
Static Aeroelasticity – Load redistribution and Divergence

• For low speeds, the wing stiffness eventually overcome the increasing twist
• Equilibrium is reach where the increased moment counteracted by the stiffness of the wing
• Twist is dependent on span station, so the tip of the wing in general experienced more twist,
hence more lift
• Aerodynamics forces are proportional to the velocity of the aircraft
• Therefore, there will a speed at which the wing can not resist the moment produced by the
increased lift and will literally twist-off. This speed known as divergence speed.
 4.1 Introduction
Static Aeroelasticity – Control Reversal

• The wing twist will generate more lift, hence tends to reduce the increase in lift produced by
the aileron deflection. Thus, reduce the rolling moment.
• Therefore, ailerons become less effective as the speed increases until at a particular speed,
aileron reversal speed, aileron deflection produces no rolling moment at all.
• The same problem may occur at other control surfaces like rudder and elevator.
 4.1 Introduction
Dynamic Aeroelasticity
Phenomena involving all three types of forces
• Flutter: dynamic instability occurring on an aircraft in flight at the flutter speed, as a result of
two or more types of vibrations

Example of Flutter Phenomena:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egDWh7jnNic
 4.1 Introduction
Dynamic Aeroelasticity
Phenomena involving all three types of forces
• Buffeting: transient vibrations of aircraft structural components due to aerodynamic impulses
produced by wake behind wings, nacelles, fuselage pods, or other components of the airplane
• Dynamic response: transient response of aircraft structural components produced by rapidly
applied loads due to gusts, landing, gun reactions, abrupt control motions, and moving shock
waves
 4.1 Introduction

• Previously in aerodynamics we assumed that the structures are perfectly rigid.

However real structures are not rigid at all.
• Thus, we also need to consider the stiffness of structures, especially in aircrafts, since
the shape of structures such as wings influence the effectiveness of its functions

• The main lesson is not that we have to make sure to consider aeroelastic effect in
aircraft design but more importantly it is a reminder of how profoundly capable we
are of making mistake. It cause catastrophic.

• The aeroelasticity phenomena occurs not only to aircraft wing, but any flexible
structures especially that has long and narrow design like building, bridges etc.
(please refer to Tacoma Narrow Bridge Accident)
 4.2 Aeroelasticity Assignment

• Group assignment comprising of maximum 3 members

• Report in the form of power point
➢Introduction/background
➢Example of real case/failure (if exist)
➢Theoretical including derivation (i.e., divergence/reversal/flutter speed)
and diagram etc. (choose 1 except divergence)
• Due date: Last day of week 15