Application of nonlinear dynamics in civil aerospace

Nonlinear analysis techniques, especially methods from bifurcation theory, have emerged as valuable tools over the last 20 years, particularly due to the advent of the modern computer. Originally developed as part of dynamical systems and chaos theory, they gradually are finding their way into applications areas from all walks of life. As far as the aerospace industry is concerned, methods from nonlinear dynamics were used initially for the prediction of aircraft flight dynamics at high angle of attack flight regimes, where traditional methods have failed. They are now being used within Airbus to analyse aspects of the dynamics of aircraft on the ground. Specific aerospace applications, where nonlinear dynamics techniques are expected to make an impact, include the design of flexible structures and mechanisms, and the dynamics of a braking wheel. Challenges related to the industrialisation of such methods are also discussed.