Flutter analysis and prevention for wings with large concentrated inertias

The influence of concentrated inertias on the flutter characteristics of a uniform cantilever wing were investigated both by experimental and by theoretical methods. The experimental work consisted of wind tunnel tests on a segmented wing model on which concentrated masses in the shape of large pods could be mounted at a number of spanwise and chordwise positions. The weight of these pods was comparable to the weight of the bare wing, and their pitching moment of inertia was varied to values up to ten times the pitching moment of inertia of the bare wing. The influence of the spanwise and chordwise position of these pods on the flutter speed was investigated. In order to assess the influence of the aerodynamic shape of the pods, four different pods were tested, each having a different aerodynamic shape. The effect of adding horizontal fins to the trailing edge of the pods was also investigated as a means of increasing the aerodynamic damping and hence the flutter stability. [Continues.]