Course detail

Aeroelasticity

FSI-OAEAcad. year: 2025/2026

The goal of the course is to familiarise students with principles of aeroelasticity for atmospheric aircraft. General introduction to problems of interaction between elastic body and fluid flow. Torsional divergence. Control surface reverse. Vibrations of aircraft structures. Modes of motion. Non-stationary aerodynamics. Buffeting. Flutter. General equations of the elastic wing motion. Critical speed solution. Applications to aircraft design.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Jan Navrátil, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Aerospace Engineering (LÚ)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of elastic theory and structure strength, basic knowledge of body dynamic.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Awarding a course-unit credit requirements: participation in exercises (90% at the minimum), presentation of reports to problems from exercises. Examination: test.
90% participation in exercises, presentation of all reports to problems from exercises.

Aims

The goal of lectures is to explain the most important aeroelastic effects, which can be met during atmospheric airplane traffic.
Using simple calculation methods, students will learn to consider qualitatively and quantitatively the conceptual and structural setting of a designed aircraft regarding its aeroelastic characteristics and behaviour.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Försching,H.W.: Grundlagen der Aeroelastik, Springer, ISBN 978-3540065401, (DE)
Fung,Y.C.: An Introduction to the Theory of Aeroelasticity, Dover Publications, ISBN 0-486-49505-1, New York, 1969 (EN)
Wring, J.R., Cooper, J.E.: Introduction to Aircraft Aeroelasticity and Loads, Antony Rowe Ltd., New Delhi, India, 2007 (EN)

Type of course unit

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Jan Navrátil, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Introduction. Terminology.
2. Free vibrations. Methods of analysis.
3. Bending and torsion vibration of wing structures.
4. Coupled bending-torsion vibrations.
5. Torsional divergence. Condition for torsional divergence. Typical section problem.
6. Three-dimensional case of torsional divergence.
7. Control reversal. Condition for control reversal. Influence of wing sweep angle on static aeroelastic phenomena.
8. Basics of unsteady aerodynamics.
9. Dynamic aeroelastic phenomena.
10. Principle of bending-torsion flutter. 2D and 3D cases.
11. Methods for calculating critical flutter speed. Effects of construction parameters.
12. Experimental aeroelasticity.
13. Certification procedures for evaluation of aeroelastic resistance.

Laboratory exercise

1 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Jan Navrátil, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1.Experimental modal analysis of wing structure

Exercise

12 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Jan Navrátil, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Calculation of spar deflection. Castigliano’s theorem.
2. Vibration analysis of rigid bodies and systems of bodies.
3. Calculation of natural frequency of harmonic bending vibration using the Rayleigh method.
4. Calculation of natural frequency of harmonic torsion vibration using the Rayleigh method.
5. Calculation of critical speed of torsional divergence - 2D case.
6. Calculation of critical speed of torsional divergence - 3D case.
7. Influence of eccentricity on critical speed of torsional divergence.
8. Calculation of critical speed of aileron reversal - 2D case.
9. Calculation of critical speed of aileron reversal - 3D case.
10. Calculation of natural frequency of harmonic bending-torsion vibration using the Galerkin method.
11. Calculation of flutter critical speed of straight wing.
12. Finite element methods in aeroelasticity - MSC.Nastran.

Elearning

eLearning: currently opened course