FLUTTER OF AN INFINITELY LONG PANEL IN A DUCT

The aeroelastic stability is examined of an infinitely long panel of finite width enclosed in a duct such that both the upper and lower surfaces of the panel are exposed to an inviscid, and compressible how The panel behavior is accounted for by small deflection plate theory, whereas the aerodynamic forces acting on the panel are described by the classical linearized small disturbance potential theory. As such, a self-consistent theoretical model is constructed for the asymptotic behavior of the panel. Two panel boundary conditions are considered; the panel is assumed to be either simply supported, or clamped along the side edges. For the simply supported case, rather extensive numerical results have been obtained. The effects of Mach number, air/panel mass ratio, and duct dimension on the flutter velocity are determined.