Identification of limit cycles for piecewise nonlinear aeroelastic systems

This paper describes two methods for the analysis of aeroelastic systems with complex piecewise nonlinear structural stiffness. These methods are tested and compared for low speed incompressible and transonic flows. The first technique employed in this paper uses a new application of the analytical solution of linear algebraic systems, the second technique utilises logarithmic and tanh functions to both represent discrete nonlinearities and to act as a switch between different nonlinear areas. The transonic aerodynamic models used are generated using an eigenvalue realisation algorithm (ERA) which produces reduced order models (ROMs) from the pulse responses of time linearised Euler simulations. It is shown that such aerodynamic models are well suited to use with continuation methods. Flutter boundaries and limit cycle oscillations can then be rapidly identified with good accuracy. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.