Static Aeroelasticity Project Fall 2014

AE 4220: Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity

Prof. Dewey H. Hodges
Consider a spanwise nonuniform composite wing of length , root chord c0 , and sweep
angle . The wing is clamped at its root and free at its tip. The y axis is assumed to be
straight and along the elastic axis. Note that because this is a composite wing, this axis
does not decouple bending and torsion.
The wing thickness and chord are linearly tapered with a relatively small ratio at . The
stiffness, mass, and aerodynamic properties vary along y such that:

4
y
GJ(y) = GJ 0 1 at
(1)

4

y
(2)
EI(y) = EI 0 1 at

4

y
(3)
K(y) = K0 1 at

2

y
(4)
m(y) = m0 1 at



y
c(y) = c0 1 at
(5)

p
where K0 = 0 EI 0 GJ 0 . Consider the wing as clamped to a wind-tunnel wall. Introduce an
aileron, starting at mid-span and extending to three-quarter span. For values of at = 0.163,
= 106.29 in., c0 = 43.11 in., GJ 0 = 10.2 109 lb.-in.2 , EI 0 = 12.1 109 lb.-in.2 , and
assume the aerodynamic center to be at quarter chord and the elastic axis at 38% chord.
Determine both the divergence and the aileron reversal dynamic pressure for the following
cases:
1. an unswept wing with 0 = 0
2. an unswept wing with 0 = 0.5
3. an unswept wing with 0 = 0.5
4. a swept wing with = 20 and 0 = 0
5. a swept wing with = 31.5 and 0 = 0
6. a swept wing with = 45 and 0 = 0
7. a swept wing with = 20 and 0 = 0.5
8. a swept wing with = 31.5 and 0 = 0.5
9. a swept wing with = 45 and 0 = 0.5
10. a swept wing with = 20 and 0 = 0.5
1

11. a swept wing with = 31.5 and 0 = 0.5

12. a swept wing with = 45 and 0 = 0.5
Three additional assumptions are:
1. Lift curve slope is constant along wingspan.
2. The airfoil is symmetric, with no camber when = 0.
3. Aerodynamics is linear and based on strip theory.
4. Use a simple power series to represent w and in the Ritz method.
Hints to help you get started:
1. This is a static aeroelastic problem, so use the generalized equation of equilibrium.
2. Derive the potential energy and virtual work
3. Derive stiffness and aerodynamic matrices by the Ritz method.
4. Solve the eigenvalue problem to find the divergence pressure.
5. Determine dynamic pressure at which aileron reversal occurs, i.e., when L/ = 0.
The project consists of three parts. Part I is a write-up of all governing equations, parameter values, etc., due 11/19/14. Phase II is your computer program (MatLabTM or
MathematicaTM ) due 11/26/14. Phase III is your parametric study, due 12/5/14.