A technique for analysing the results of a flutter calculation

Abstract

A technique is presented for condensing a multi-degree-of-freedom flutter calculation so that similar flutter conditions are achieved with two degrees-of-freedom. Use is made of digital computer programmes, and the process is largely automatic. Examples of the application of the technique are given, and show that systems can often be reduced to two normal modes, or to two orthogonal combinations of normal modes, and that these modes can be interpreted physically. A detailed analysis of one of the derived two degree-of-freedom systems is made. This analysis uses a method restricted to a binary system, and so the condensation technique made possible the application of this method.