University Foundation Los Libertadores

Faculty of Engineeríng
Aeronautical Engineenríng
Aeroelasticity
MsC Ing. Ricardo Cubillos

1. The following system involves a rotational coordinate system and its

conformed by a control surface/actuator. The control surface has a moment
of inertia J about the hinge, the effective stiffnes and damping values are K
and c respectively and the rotation of the control surface is 𝜃 in rad. The
actuator lever arm has a lenght a. A forcé f(t) is applied to the control surface
at a distance d from hinge. The main surface of the wing is assumed to be
fixed rigidly as shown.

Use the Lagrange Equations to get the differential equation that describe the
behavior of the system. Assume free vibration and express the solution of DE
in terms of undamped natural frequancy, damped natural frequancy and
damping ratio.

2. In the following graphic the quantity 𝐾𝐻𝐷 (𝜔) is a nondimensonal expression,

or dinamic magnification, relating the dynamic amplitud to the static
deformation for several damping values.

Explain what phenomena can be describe with this graphic and under what
circumstances.
3. An avionics box may be idealized as an SDF system comprising a mass m
supported on a mounting base via spring k and a Damper c. The system
displacement is y(t) and the base and the base displacement is 𝑥(𝑡) . The
base is subject to aceleration 𝑥̈ (𝑡) from motion of the aircraft. Show the
equation of the system may be written in the form:

𝑚𝑧̈ + 𝑐𝑥̇ + 𝑘𝑥 = −𝑚𝑥̈ where 𝑧 = 𝑦 − 𝑥 (relative displacement)

4. For the two DoF lumped parameter system show, determine:

a) The equation of motion in matrix form
b) The undamped natural frequencies and mode shapes and explain
the meaning

5. For the aircraft plus landing gear given in the examples in class, obtain the
equations of motion written in terms of vertical displacement 𝑍𝑁 and 𝑍𝑀 at
the nose and main landing gear instead of 𝑍𝑐 and 𝜃. Note that pitch rotation
must be will need to be written in terms of displacement in order to obtain the
kinetic energy of rotations). For the parameter values used in the example
given in class, obtain the undamped natural frequencies and mode shapes
and show that they are the same as those determined earlier.

6. An airfoil section has a mass m and moment of inertial Ι0 about the point O,
where it is supported in heave and pitch by linear spring k and rotational
spring K respectively. The centre of mass C is a distance e ahead of O.
Determine the equations of motion for two coordinates sets. a) 𝑧𝑐 , 𝜃 and b)
𝑧𝑜 , 𝜃, where 𝑧𝑐,𝑜 are measured downwards from points C and O respectively
and 𝜃 is the nose up pitch angle. Explain the different types of coupling term
in equations of motion.
 7. Consider the example of the classical two DoF system show in figure.
However assing numerical values as follow: 𝑚1 = 5𝑘𝑔, 𝑚2 = 3𝑘𝑔, 𝑘1 =
3000 𝑁/𝑚 and 𝑘2 = 1000 𝑁/𝑚. Determine the undamped natural frequencies
and the normal mode shapes of the system.

Note: Each exercises response must be explained in the context of

Aeroelasticity concept that was given in the class.

“When Henry Ford decided to produce his famous V-8 motor, he chose to build an engine with the
entire eight cylinders cast in one block, and instructed his engineers to produce a design for the
engine. The design was placed on paper, but the engineers agreed, to a man, that it was simply
impossible to cast an eight-cylinder engine-block in one piece.

Ford replied,''Produce it anyway.”

Henry Ford