Skip to main content

Aeroelastic response of rotorcraft

  • Chapter
A Modern Course in Aeroelasticity

Part of the book series: Solid Mechanics and its Applications ((SMIA,volume 32))

  • 372 Accesses

Abstract

In this chapter we will examine a number of aeroelastic phenomena associated with helicopters and other rotor or propeller driven aircraft. Certain areas have been selected for treatment to illustrate some significant stability problems which are associated with the design of helicopters. The approach to be followed employs simplified modelling of various problems such that physical insight into the nature of the phenomena can be obtained. In general a complete and precise formulation of many of the problem areas discussed is highly complex and the reader is referred to the literature for these more detailed formulations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Gessow, A. and Myers, G.C., Jr., Aerodynamics of the Helicopter, The Macmillan Company, New York, 1952.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  2. Bramwell, A.R.S., Helicopter Dynamics, John Wiley & SOns, New York, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Loewy, R.G., “Review of Rotary Wing V/STOL Dynamics and Aeroelastic Problems,” Journal of American Helicopter Society, Vol. 14, No. 3 (July 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Friedmann, P., “Recent Developments in Rotary Wing Aeroelasticity,” Paper No. 11, Second European Rotorcraft and Powered Lift Aircraft Forum (september 20–22, 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hohenemser, K.H., “Hingeless Rotorcraft Flight Dynamics,” Agardograph 197, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Johnson, W., “Dynamics of Tilting Proprotor Aircraft in Cruise Flight,” NASA TN D-7677 (May 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Manjunath, A., Nagabhushanam, J., Gaonkar, G., Peters, D., and Su, A., “Flap-Lag Damping in Hover and Forward Flight with a Three-Dimensional Wake,” Proceedings of the 48th Annual Forum of the American Helicopter Society, Washington, June 3–5, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Burkham, J.E. and Miao, W.L., “Exploration of Aeroelastic Stability Boundaries with a Soft-in-Plane Hingeless-Rotor Model,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 17, No. 4 (October 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Donham, R.E., et al., “Ground and Air Resonance Characteristics of a Soft In-Plane Rigid-Rotor System,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 14, No. 4 (October 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ormiston, R.A., “Aeromechanical Stability of Soft Inplane Hingeless Rotor Helicopters,” Paper No. 25, Third European Rotorcraft and Powered Lift Aircraft Forum, Aix-en-Provence, France (September 7–9, 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Goland, L. and Perlmutter, A.A., “A Comparison of the Calculated and Observed Flutter Characteristics of a Helicopter Rotor Blade,” Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, Vol. 24, No. 4 (April 1957).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Reichert, G. and Huber, H., “Influence of Elastic Coupling Effects on the Handling Qualities of a Hingeless Rotor Helicopter,” Agard Conference Proceedings No. 121 Advanced Rotorcraft (February 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lentine, F.P, et al., “Research in Manuverability of the XH-51A Compund Helicopter,” USA AVLABS TR 68-23 (June 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ham, N.D., “Helicopter Blade Flutter,” AGARD Report 607 (January 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Shames, I.H., Engineering Mechanics, Vol. II: Dynamics, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Peters, D.A. and Hohenemser, K.H., “Application of the Floquet Transition Matrix to Problems of Lifting Rotor Stability,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 16, No. 2 (April 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Ormiston, R.A. and Hodges, D.H., “Linear Flap-Lag Dynamics of Hingeless Helicopter Rotor Blades in Hover,” Journal of the American Helicopater Society, Vol. 17, No. 2 (April 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Chou, P.C., “Pitch Lag Instability of Helicopter Rotors,” Institute of Aeronautical Sciences Preprint 805, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bennett, R.M. and Curtiss, H.C., Jr., “An Experimental Investigation of Helicopter Stability Characteristics Near Hovering Flight Using a Dynamically Similar Model,” Princeton University Department of Aeronautical Engineering Report 517 (July 1960).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hansford, R.E. and Simons, I.A., ‘Torsion-Flap-Lag Coupling on Helicopter Rotor Blades,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 18, No. 4 (October 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hodges, D.H. and Ormiston, R.A., “Stability of Elastic Bending and Torsion of Uniform Cantilever Rotor Blades in Hover with Variable Structural Coupling,” NASA TN D-8192 (April 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hodges, D.H. and Dowell, E.H., “Non-Linear Equations of Motion for the Elastic Bending and Torsion of Twisted Nonuniform Rotor Blades,” NASA TN D-7818 (July 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Flax, A.H. and Goland, L., “Dynamic Effects in Rotor Blade Bending,” Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, Vol. 18, No. 12 (December 1951).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Yntema, R.T., “Simplified Procedures and Charts for Rapid Estimation of Bending Frequencies of Rotating Beams,” NACA TN 3459 (June 1955).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Young, M.I., “A Simplified Theory of Hingeless Rotors with Application to Tandem Helicopters,” Proceedings of the 18th Annual National Forum. American Helicopter Society, (May 1962) pp. 38–45.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Curtiss, H.C., Jr., “Sensitivity of Hingeless Rotor Blade Flap-Lag Stability in Hover to Analytical Modelling Assumptions,” Princeton University Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences Report 1236 (January 1975).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Halley, D.H., “ABC Helicopter Stability, Control and Vibration Evaluation on the Princeton Dynamic Model Track,” American Helicopter Society Preprint 744 (May 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Curtiss, H.C., Jr., “Complex Coordinates in Near Hovering Rotor Dynamics,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 10, No. 8 (May 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  29. Berrington, D.K., “Design and Development of the Westland Sea Lynx,” Journal of American Helicopter Society, Vol. 19, No. 1 (January 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ormiston, R.A. and Bousman, W.G., “A Study of Stall-Induced Flap-Lag Instability of Hingeless Rotors,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 20, No. 1 (January 1975).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Peters, David A., “An Approximate Closed-Form Solution for Lead-Lag Damping of Rotor Blades in Hover,” NASA TM X-62, 425 (April 1975).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Gaffey, T.M., “The Effect of Positive Pitch-Flap Coupling (Negativeδ3) on Rotor Blade Motion Stability and Flapping,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 14, No. 2 (April 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  33. de Andrade, Donizeti an Peters, David, “On a Finite-State Inflow Application to Flap-Lag-Torsion Damping in Hover,” Proceedings of the Eighteenth European Rotorcraft Forum, Avignon, France, September 15–18, 1992, Paper No. 2.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Ham, N.D. and Garelick, M.S., “Dynamic Stall Considerations in Helicopter Rotors,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 13, No. 2 (April 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Liiva, J. and Davenport, F.J., “Dynamic Stall of Airfoil Sections for High-Speed Rotors,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 14, No. 2 (April 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Martin, J.M. et al., “An Experimental Analysis of Dynamic Stall on an Oscillating Airfoil,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 19, No. 1 (January 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  37. McCroskey, W.J. and Fisher, R.K., Jr., “Detailed Aerodynamic Measurements on a Model Rotor in the Blade Stall Regime,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 17, No. 1 (January 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Johnson, W. and Ham, N.D., “On the Mechanism of Dynamic Stall,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 17, No. 4 (October 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Ericsson, L.E. and Reding, J.P., “Dynamic Stall of Helicopter Blades,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 17, No. 4 (October 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  40. Tarzanin, F.J., Jr., “Prediction of Control Loads Due to Blade Stall,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 17, No. 2 (April 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Leishman, J.G. and Beddoes, T.S., “A Semi-Empirical Moel for Dynamic Stall,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 34, No. 4 (July 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Peleau, B. and Petot, D., “Aeroelastic Prediction of Rotor Loads in Forward Flight,” Vertica, Vol. 13, No. 2 (1989) pp. 107–118.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Narramore, J.C., Sankar, L.N., and Vermeland, R., “An Evaluation of a Navier-Stokes Code for Calculation of Retreating Blade Stall on Helicopter Rotor,” Proceedings of the 44th Annual Forum of the American Helicopter Society, Washington (June 160018) pp. 797–808.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Coleman, R.P. and Feingold, A.M., “Theory of Self-Excited Mechanical Oscillations of Helicopter Rotors with Hinged Blades,” NACA TN 3844 (February 1957).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Hohenemser, K.H. and Yin, S.K., “Some Applications of the Method of Multi-Blade Coordinates,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 17, No. 3 (July 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Gaonkar, G.H., Mitra, A.K., Reddy, T.S.R., and Peters, D.A., “Sensitivity of Helicopter Aeromechanical Stability to Dynamic Inflow,”’ Vertica, Vol. 6 (1982) pp. 59–75.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Lytwyn, R.T., et al., “Airborne and Ground Resonance of Hingeless Rotors,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 16, No. 2 (April 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  48. Briczinski, S. and Cooper, D.E., “Flight Investigation of Rotor/Vehicle State Feedback,” NASA CR-132546 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Reed, W.H., III, “Review of Propeller-Rotor Whirl Flutter,” NASA TR 4-264 (July 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Hall, E.W., Jr., “Prop-Rotor Stability at High Advance Ratios,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 11, No. 2 (April 1966).

    Google Scholar 

  51. Young, M.I. and Lytwyn, R.T., “The Influence of Blade Flapping Restraint on the Dynamic Stability of Low Disc Loading Propeller-Rotors,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 12, No. 4 (October 1967).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Johnson, W, “Analytical Modelling Requirements for Tilting Prop Rotor Aircraft Dynamics,” NASA TN D-8013 (July 1975).

    Google Scholar 

  53. Shamie, J. and Friedmann, P., “Aeroelastic Stability of Complete Rotors with Application to a Teetering Rotor in Forward Flight,” American Helicopter Society Preprint No. 1031 (May 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  54. Kawakami, N., “Dynamics of an Elastic Seesaw Rotor,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 14, No. 3 (March 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  55. Landgrebe, A.J., “An Analytical Method for Predicting Rotor Wake Geometry,”’ Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 14, No. 4 (October 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  56. Kwon, Oh Joon, Hodges, D.H., and Sankar, L.N., “Stability of Hingeless Rotors in Hover Using Three-Dimensional Unsteady Aerodynamics,” Proceedings of the 45th Annual National Forum of the American Helicopter Society, Boston, 1989, and Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 36, No. 2 (April 1991) pp. 21–31.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Amer, K.B., “Theory of Helicopter Damping in Pitch or Roll and Comparison with Flight Measurements,” NASA, TN 2136 (October 1948).

    Google Scholar 

  58. Sissingh, G. J., “The Effect of Induced Velocity Variation on Helicopter Rotor Damping Pitch or Roll,” Aeronautical Research Council (Great Britain), A.R.C. Technical Report G.P.No. 101 (14,757), (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  59. Hohenemser, K.H., “Hingeless Rotorcraft Flight Dynamics,” (AGARD-AG-197 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  60. Curtiss, H.C., Jr. and Shupe, N.K., “A Stability and Control Theory for Hingeless Rotors,” Annual National Forum of the American Helicopter Society, Washington, D.C. (May 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  61. Ormiston, R.A. and Peters, D.A., “Hingeless Helicopter Rotor Response with Non-Uniform Inflow and Elastic Blade Banding,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 9, No. 10 (October 1972) pp. 730–736.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Peters, D.A., “Hingeless Rotor Frequency Response with Unsteady Inflow,” presented at the AHS/NASA Ames Specialists Meeting on Rotorcraft Dynamics, NASA SP-362 (February 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  63. Carpenter, P.J. and Fridovich, B., “Effect of a Rapid Blade Pitch Increase on the Thrust and Induced Velocity Response of a Full Scale Helicopter Rotor,” NASA, TN 3044 (November 1953).

    Google Scholar 

  64. Pitt, D.M. and Peters, D.A., “Theoretical Prediction of Dynamic Inflow Derivatives,” Vertica, Vol. 5, No. 1 (March 1981) pp. 21–34.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Johnson, W., “Influence of Unsteady Aerodynamics on Hingeless Rotor Ground Resonance,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 29, No. 9 (August 1982) pp. 668–673.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Gaonkar, G.H., Mitra, A.K., Reddy, T.S.R., and Peters, D.A., “Sensitivity of Helicopter Aeromechanical Stability to Dynamic Inflow,” Vertica, Vol. 6, No. 1 (1982) pp. 59–75.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Gaonkar, G.H. and Peters, D.A., “Effectiveness of Current Dynamic-Inflow Models in Hover and Forward Flight,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 31, No. 2 (April 1986) pp. 47–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Theodorsen, T, “General Theory of Aerodynamic Instabilities and the Mechanism of Flutter,” NACA TR 496 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  69. Loewy, Robert G., “A Two-Dimensional Approach to the Unsteady Aerodynamics of Rotary Wings,” Journal of the Aerospace Sciences, Vol. 24, No. 2 (February 1957) pp. 82–98.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Miller, R.H., “Rotor Blade Harmonic Air Loading,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 7 (July 1964) pp. 1254–1269.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  71. Johnson, Wayne, Helicopter Theory, Princeton University Press, Princeton (1980) pp. 484–492.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Friedmann, P.P. and Venkatesan, C., “Finite State Modeling of Unsteady Aerodynamics and Its Application to a Rotor Dynamics Problem,” Eleventh European Rotorcraft Forum, London, Paper No. 77 (September 1985).

    Google Scholar 

  73. Peters, David A., Boyd, David Doug, and He, Cheng Jian, “Finite-State Induced-Flow Model for Rotors in Hover and Forward Flight,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 34, No. 4 (October 1989) pp. 5–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Peters, David A. and He, Cheng, Jian, “Correlation of Measured Induced Velocities with a Finite-State Wake Model,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 36, No. 3 (July 1991) pp. 59–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Crawley, E.F., Curtiss, H.C., Peters, D.A., Scanlan, R.H., Sisto, F. (1995). Aeroelastic response of rotorcraft. In: Dowell, E.H. (eds) A Modern Course in Aeroelasticity. Solid Mechanics and its Applications, vol 32. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0499-9_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0499-9_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-2789-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0499-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics