Parametric Study of Aeroelastic Instability Boundaries of Space Launch Vehicle in Subsonic Flow

Abstract

In the present work, the frequency-domain aeroelastic stability analysis of space launch vehicle body in the flight condition of initial launch phase is presented for a range of geometric parameters, structural characteristics, and other parameters such as thrust force. The aeroelastic model is derived using structural assumed modes and quasi-steady aerodynamics. The pressure distribution of subsonic flow on the 3D configuration is determined by boundary element method. Non-uniform Euler-Bernoulli beam including torsion spring junctions along the body with free-free ends is used to model the structure, and its modal analysis is performed by finite difference method. Concluded results illustrate variation in parameters not only could vary the aeroelastic instability boundary, but also might cause the instability type changed (from divergence to flutter), which its main reason is replacement the second instability of the aeroelastic system with the first one. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the follower thrust force restricts the aeroelastic stability but maintains the instability type.

Keywords

• aeroelastic instability
• beam model
• follower force
• space launch vehicle
• subsonic aerodynamics