Nonlinear Aerodynamic Effects on Transonic Flap Buzz, Tail Flutter and Limit-Cycle Oscillations of Two-Dimensional Wing-Flap-Tail Configurations

Abstract

The transonic tail flutter and flap buzz under the wing-flap-tail configurations are analyzed utilizing a dynamic grid capability of unstructured Euler solver coupled with an appropriate aeroelastic solver. From the results, the presence of a forewing, either stationary or oscillating, has significant effect on the tail flutter characteristics. In particular, the tail motion may be in resonance with the oscillating wing before the onset of flutter, which is dangerous to the tail structure because of the large amplitude oscillations. Besides, a complicated aerodynamic and aeroelastic interference of the tail have been found due to the unsteady disturbance which is a strong variability of flow structure induced by the buzz of the flap. In the high transonic flow regime, the flap buzz with limit-cycle oscillations does occur, and the influence induced by the tail is not important. The increasing restoring force at the pivot where the flap joints with the wing will reduce the flap oscillations that improves the effect of the flap buzz.