Effects of Leading-Edge Tubercles on Wing Flutter Speeds
File(s)
Author(s)
Ng, BF
New, TH
Palacios, R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The dynamic aeroelastic effects on wings modified with bio-inspired leading-edge (LE) tubercles are examined in this study. We adopt a state-space aeroelastic model via the coupling of unsteady vortex-lattice method and a composite beam to evaluate stability margins as a result of LE tubercles on a generic wing. The unsteady aerodynamics and spanwise mass variations due to LE tubercles have counteracting effects on stability margins with the former having dominant influence. When coupled, flutter speed is observed to be 5% higher, and this is accompanied by close to 6% decrease in reduced frequencies as an indication of lower structural stiffness requirements for wings with LE tubercles. Both tubercle amplitude and wavelength have similar influences over the change in flutter speeds, and such modifications to the LE would have minimal effect on stability margins when concentrated inboard of the wing. Lastly, when used in sweptback wings, LE tubercles are observed to have smaller impacts on stability margins as the sweep angle is increased.
Date Issued
2016-04-12
Date Acceptance
2016-03-21
Citation
Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 2016, 11 (3)
ISSN
1748-3190
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Journal / Book Title
Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
Volume
11
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
©2016 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Subjects
Physiology
02 Physical Sciences
06 Biological Sciences
09 Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
036003