On double stable limit cycle flutter of a plate with motion constraints in subsonic flow

Abstract

This paper revisits the nonlinear flutter model of a cantilevered plate with motion-limiting constraints in subsonic flow. The nonlinear flutter behavior of this model was firstly explored in an earlier paper. Recently, it has become clear that the results of nonlinear limit cycle flutter reported in that earlier paper are incomplete. A further reevaluation of this problem is undertaken here to reveal some new and fresh results. The flutter regions are evaluated and summarized in different two-parameter planes and a heuristic analysis scheme based on the equivalent linearized method is utilized to analyze the limit cycle flutter in these regions. Results show that flutter regions vary with the spring stiffness and location; the system exhibits both the single and the double stable limit cycle flutter; the occurrences of these two types of limit cycle flutter are closely associated with bifurcations of a different nature.