Numerical and experimental study of a fluttering membrane strip

Daniel Kariv, Izhak Mizrahi, Daniella E. Raveh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The paper presents a numerical and experimental aeroelastic study of a membrane strip in low speeds, motivated by the Windbelt energy harvesting device. Flutter and divergence speeds are computed using both the strip theory and panel aerodynamic models, and a structural modal model of the preloaded membrane strip. A wind-tunnel experiment is set up and serves as a reference to the numerical models. The computed flutter speeds and frequencies are in reasonable agreement with wind tunnel data, indicating that linear flutter analysis is adequate for study of the flutter characteristics of a membrane strip. A parametric study of membranes of various preloads and added masses demonstrated that it is possible to tune the flutter speed to a desired range of flow velocities, thus optimizing a Windbelt device to the expected wind speeds. Discrepancies between the computed and wind-tunnel flutter speeds are attributed to the aerodynamic modeling, which is likely not suitable for zero-thickness configurations in low Reynolds speeds.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication54th Israel Annual Conference on Aerospace Sciences 2014
Pages308-325
Number of pages18
StatePublished - 2014
Event54th Israel Annual Conference on Aerospace Sciences, IACAS 2014 - Tel-Aviv and Haifa, Israel
Duration: 19 Feb 201420 Feb 2014

Publication series

Name54th Israel Annual Conference on Aerospace Sciences 2014
Volume1

Conference

Conference54th Israel Annual Conference on Aerospace Sciences, IACAS 2014
Country/TerritoryIsrael
CityTel-Aviv and Haifa
Period19/02/1420/02/14

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering

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