Flutter is an aeroelastic instability, whereby unsteady aerodynamic forces induced by blade vibration feed energy into the vibration, resulting in a rapid amplification of vibration levels. Stall flutter occurs near the aerodynamic stability limit and is driven by a complex interaction of unsteady aerodynamics, aeroacoustics and the structural blade deformations.
This research aims to improve the general understanding of fan flutter by carrying out a root cause analysis of flutter for a modern low-pressure ratio transonic fans. The understanding gained is then used to develop fast models for flutter prediction.
Visiting student projects
Research projects in collaboration with the Traf-Group at University of Florence focus on the effect of torsional content in combined flap vibration modes on aeroelastic stability.