Vibration of two degree systems (Aircraft wing) Essay

Vibration of two degree systems (Aircraft wing) - Essay Example Above such a critical speed, an accidental deformation of the fin/wing will lead to a large angle of twist (torsion). This critical speed is called the divergence speed, and the fin/wing is said to be torsionally divergent. Rocket fins should be designed so the divergence speed is never exceeded at any altitude during the flight. FLUTTER VELOCITY: Flutter is a dynamic instability of an elastic body (wing or fin) in an airstream and like divergence the only forces necessary to produce flutter are those due to the deflection of an elastic structure from its initially un-deformed state. The flutter velocity or critical speed UF and frequency F are defined respectively as the lowest airspeed and corresponding circular frequency at which an elastic body flying at a given atmospheric pressure and temperature will exhibit sustained harmonic oscillation. When there is no flow and the rocket's fin is disturbed, say, by a poke with a rod, oscillation or vibration occurs, which is damped (reduction of amplitude caused by structural resistance) gradually over successive vibration cycles. When the speed of flow is gradually increased, the rate of damping of the oscillation of the disturbed fin increases at first. With further increase in rocket velocity, however, a point is reached at which the damping rapidly decreases.