A new method for directly determining the eigenmodes of finite flow-structure systems is presented using the classical problem of the interaction of a uniform incompressible flow with a flexible panel, held at both ends, as an exemplar. The method is a hybrid of theoretical analysis and computational modelling. This method is contrasted with Galerkin and travelling-wave methods, which are most often used to study the hydroelasticity of such systems. The new method does not require an a priori approximation of perturbations via a finite sum of modes. Instead, the coupled equations for the wall-flow system are used to derive a single matrix equation for the system that is a second-order differential equation for the panel-displacement variable. This is achieved in this exemplar by applying a combination of boundary-element and finite-element methods to the discretized system. Standard statespace methods are then used to extract the eigenmodes of the system directly. We present the results for the stability of the case of an unsupported flexible plate, elucidating its divergence and flutter characteristics, and the effect of energy dissipation in the structure. We then present the results for the case of a spring-backed flexible plate, showing that its motion is dominated by travelling waves. Finally, we illustrate the versatility of the approach by extracting the stability diagrams and modes for a panel with spatially varying properties and a panel with non-standard boundary conditions. In doing so, we show how spatial inhomogeneity can modify the energy exchanges between flow and structure, thereby introducing a single-mode flutter instability at pre-divergence flow speeds.
a b s t r a c tWe study the effect of adding discrete structural mass on the linear stability of an otherwise homogeneous cantilevered-free flexible plate immersed in uniform axial flow. The methods of Howell et al. that mixed numerical simulation with eigenvalue analysis are simply extended for the present study. An ideal two-dimensional flow is assumed wherein the rotationality of the boundary-layers is modelled by vortex elements on the solid-fluid interface and the imposition of the Kutta condition at the plate's trailing edge. The EulerBernoulli beam model is used for the structural dynamics. It is shown that addition of mass to the plate can be either stabilising or destabilising, depending upon the location of the added mass, and how its inclusion modifies the energy exchanges of the corresponding homogeneous structure. Our results therefore suggest a straightforward means by which the critical flow speed at which low-amplitude flutter sets in can be passively controlled in engineering applications.
A state-space model, based upon computational modeling, is used to investigate the hydroelastic stability of a finite flexible panel interacting with a uniform flow. A merit of this approach is that it allows the fluid-structure system eigenmodes to be found readily when structural inhomogeneity is included or a source of external excitation is present. The system studied herein is two-dimensional although the concepts presented can be readily extended to three dimensions. Two problems are considered. In the first, we solve the initial-value, boundary-value, problem to show how the system response evolves from a source of localized excitation. This problem is deceptively complex and has evidenced some very unusual behaviour as demonstrated by theoretical studies based on the assumption of an infinitely long flexible panel. Our contribution herein is to formulate and illustrate the use of a hybrid of theoretical and computational models that includes the effects of finiteness. In the second problem we solve the boundary-value problem to determine the long-time response and investigate the effects of adding localized structural inhomogeneity on the linear stability of a flexible panel. It is well known that a simple flexible plate first loses its stability to divergence that is replaced by modal-coalescence flutter at higher speeds. Our contribution is to show how the introduction of localized structural inhomogeneity can be used to modify the divergence-onset and flutter-onset critical flow speeds.
A new method for directly determining the eigenmodes of finite flow-structure systems is presented, using the classical problem of the interaction of a uniform flow with a flexible panel, held at both ends, as an exemplar. The method is a hybrid of theoretical analysis and computational modelling. This new approach is contrasted with the standard Galerkin method that is most often used to study the hydro-elasticity of finite systems. Unlike the Galerkin method, the new method does not require an a priori approximation of perturbations via a finite sum of modes. Instead, the coupled equations for the wall-flow system are cast, using computational methods that, in this exemplar, combine boundary-element and finite-element methods, to yield a single matrix equation for the system that is a second-order differential equation for the panel-displacement variable. Standard state-space methods are then used to extract the eigenmodes of the system directly. We present definitive results for the stability of the case of an unsupported flexible plate, elucidating its divergence and flutter characteristics, and the effect of energy dissipation in the structure. Finally, we present some results for the case of a spring-backed flexible plate that illustrate the complicated dynamics of this type of wall; these dynamics would be poorly modelled by a traditional Galerkin method.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.