Limit-cycle oscillation prediction for non-linear aeroelastic systems

Abstract

This paper describes part of an investigation into the prediction and characterisation of limit cycle oscillations occurring in non-linear aeroelastic systems. Through the use of a modified version of normal form theory, it is shown how it is possible to predict the limit-cycle oscillations and characterise their stability. The approach is analytical and does away with the need for an excessive amount of time marching iterative numerical simulation of the system. The methodology is demonstrated upon a simple two degrees-of-freedom aeroelastic wing model with cubic stiffness. A good agreement was obtained between the analytical prediction and numerical simulations.