Wind-tunnel tests on the effects of an added mass on the flutter of a model delta wing part 1 fixed root flutter tests part 2 anti-symmetric flutter tests part 3 symmetric flutter tests

Abstract

Summary. A comprehensive investigation of the fixed root, anti-symmetric and symmetric flutter characteristics of a model delta wing carrying an added mass has been made. The parameters that were varied in the tests were the mass value, the spanwise and chordwise position of the mass and its pitching radius of gyration. In the body freedom tests the fuselage inertia characteristics were also varied. Five different types of flutter were obtained depending on these parameters and the particular root condition. The test results indicate that either symmetric or anti-symmetric flutter may be critical depending on mass value and c.g. position and that the optimum position of an added mass, from the flutter aspect, is in the neighbourhood of 0.75 span and well forward in the chord. It is felt that the results of a general investigation of this nature cannot be applied in detail to assess the effect of an added mass on the flutter characteristics of a particular aircraft.