Aeroelastic Stability Analysis of Hingeless Rotor Blades with Composite Flexures

  • Kim, Seung-Jo (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Ki-Tae (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University) ;
  • Jung, Sung-Nam (Department of Aerospace Engineering, Chonbuk National University)
  • Published : 2002.04.01

Abstract

The flap-lag-torsion coupled aeroelastic behavior of a hingeless rotor blade with composite flexures in hovering flight has been investigated by using the finite element method. The quasisteady strip theory with dynamic inflow effects is used to obtain the aerodynamic loads acting on the blade. The governing differential equations of motion undergoing moderately large displacements and rotations are derived using the Hamilton's principle. The flexures used in the present model are composed of two composite plates which are rigidly attached together. The lead-lag flexure is located inboard of the flap flexure. A mixed warping model that combines the St. Versant torsion and the Vlasov torsion is developed to describe the twist behavior of the composite flexure. Numerical simulations are carried out to correlate the present results with experimental test data and also to identify the effects of structural couplings of the composite flexures on the aeroelastic stability of the blade. The prediction results agree well with other experimental data. The effects of elastic couplings such as pitch-flap, pitch-lag, and flap-lag couplings on the stability behavior of the composite blades are also investigated.

Keywords

References

  1. Bauld, N. R., Jr. and Tzeng, L. S., 1984, 'A Vlasov Theory for Fiber-Reinforced Beams with Thin-Walled Open Cross Sectoins,' International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 277-297 https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7683(84)90039-8
  2. Bir, G. and Chopra, I., 1994, University of Maryland Advanced Rotorcraft Code (UMARC), Center for Rotorcraft Education and Research, University of Maryland, College Park
  3. Bousman, W. G., 1981, 'An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Aeroelastic Couplings on Aeromechanical Stability of a Hingeless Rotor Helicopter,' Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 46-54 https://doi.org/10.4050/JAHS.26.46
  4. Bousman, W. G., 1990, 'The Effects of Sturctural Flap-Lag and Pitch-Lag Coupling on Soft Inplane Hingeless Rotor Stability in Hover,' NASA TP 3002, AVSCOM TR 89-A-002
  5. Floros, M. W. and Smith, E. C., 1996, 'Finite Element Modeling of Open-Section Composite Beams with Warping Restraint Effects,' Proceeding of 37th Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conferences, Salt Lake City, pp. 1420-1430
  6. Gjelsvik, A., 1981, The Theory of Thin Walled Bars, John Wiley & Sons
  7. Hong, C. H. and Chopra, I., 1985, 'Aeroelastic Stability Analysis of a Composite Rotor Blade,' Jouranl of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 57-67 https://doi.org/10.4050/JAHS.30.57
  8. Jones, R. M., 1975, Mechanics of Composite Materials, McGraw-Hill, New York
  9. Jung, S. N. and Kim, S. J., 1996, 'Transverse Shear Behavior on the Aeroelastic Stability of Composite Rotor Blade,' KSME International Journal, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 12-21 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02953939
  10. Lin, D. X., Ni, R. G. and Adams, R. D., 1984, 'Prediction and Measurement of the Vibrational Damping Parameters of Carbon and Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastics Plates,' Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 18, pp. 132-152 https://doi.org/10.1177/002199838401800204
  11. Pitt, D. M. and Peters, D. A., 1981, 'Theoretical Prediction of Dynamic Inflow Derivatives,' Vertica, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 21-34
  12. Ritchie, I. G. and Rosinger, H. E., 1975, 'Torsional Rigidity of Rectangular Section Bars of Orthotropic Materials,' Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 9, pp. 187-190 https://doi.org/10.1177/002199837500900208
  13. Smith, E. C. and Chopra, I., 1993, 'Aeroelastic Response, Loads and Stability of a Composite Rotor in Forward Flight,' AIAA Journal, Vol. 31, No. 7, pp. 1265-1273 https://doi.org/10.2514/3.49066
  14. Tracy, A. L. and Chopra, I., 1995, 'Aeroelastic Analysis of a Composite Bearingless Rotor in Forward Flight Using an Improved Warping Model,' Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 80-91 https://doi.org/10.4050/JAHS.40.80
  15. Tracy, A. L. and Chopra, I., 1996, 'Aeroelastic Stability Testing and Validation of a Composite Hingeless Rotor in Hover,' Proceeding of 37th Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conferences, Salt Lake City, pp. 2447-2458