About this title: Drawing on his extensive experience as a practicing engineer, designer, educator, and researcher in rotorcraft, the author presents a comprehensive account of the fundamental concepts of structural dynamics and aero-elasticity for conventional rotary wing aircraft, as well as for tilt-rotor and tilt-wing concepts. Intended for use in graduate-level courses and by practicing engineers, the volume covers all of the important topics needed for the complete understanding of rotorcraft structural dynamics and aeroelasticity, including basic analysis tools, rotating beams, gyroscopic phenomena, drive system dynamics, fuselage vibrations, methods for controlling vibrations, dynamic test procedures, stability analysis, mechanical and aeromechanical instabilities of rotors and rotor-pylon assemblies, unsteady aerodynamics and flutter of rotors, and model testing. The second edition provides more up-to-date solution techniques, as well as new material that the author has developed since the first edition. New chapters have been included dealing with elastomeric devices, airfoil sections with an emphasis on composites, "cross-over" topics, and a historical perspective on the subject material. A new appendix has been provided presenting basic material on composites. The text is further enhanced by the inclusion of problems in each chapter.

Table Of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

             Introduction

                    Rotary Wing vs Fixed Wing

                    Methodology

             Basic Analytical Techniques

                    Linear Single-Degree-of-Freedom System

                    Fourier Methods

                    Linear Two-Degree-of-Freedom System

                    Laplace Transform

                    Structural Damping

                    Matrices

                    Vector Calculus

                    Theorem of Coriolis

             Rotating Beams

                    Basic Equations for Bending

                    Reference Uniform Blade

                    Numerical Methods

                    Approximate Methods

                    Two-Bladed Rotor

                    Blade Torsion Dynamics

                    Coupling Effects

             Gyroscopics

                    Rotational Motion of a Solid Body

                    Simplified Gyroscope Equation

                    Precession and Nutation Characteristics

                    Gyroscopic Characteristics of Rotor Blades

             Drive System Dynamics

                    Shaft Critical Speeds

                    Torsional Natural Frequencies of Shafting Systems

                    Special Devices

             Fuselage Vibrations

                    Dynamic Loads

                    Harmonic Rotor Hub Loads

                    Nonrotor Sources of Fuselage Excitation

                    Rotor-Fuselage Interactions

             Methods for Vibration Control

                    Basic Modification Methodology

                    Modification of Blade Dynamics

                    Modification of Fuselage Dynamics

                    Vibration-Suppression Devices

             Vibration Test Procedures

                    Basic Shake Testing

                    Other Test Objectives

             Stability Analysis Methods: Linear Systems

                    Basic Concepts

                    Basic Tools for Linear Systems: Constant Coefficients

                    Linear Multiple-Degree-of-Freedom Systems: Constant Coefficients

                    Linear Multiple-Degree-of-Freedom Systems: Periodic Coefficients (Floquet Theory)

                    Nyquist Criterion for Multiple-Degree-of-Freedom Systems

             Mechanical and Aeromechanical Instabilities of Rotors

                    Unsymmetrical Rotor Instability

                    Quasi-Steady Aerodynamics

                    Rotor Weaving

                    Blade Pitch-Flap-Lag Instability

                    Rotordynamic Instabilities

             Mechanical and Aeromechanical Instabilities of Rotor-Pylon Systems

                    Multiblade Coordinates and Rotor Modes

                    Rotor-Nacelle Whirl Flutter

                    Ground Resonance Instability

                    Air Resonance

                    Air Mass Dynamics

             Unsteady Aerodynamics and Flutter of Rotors

                    Introduction and Classification

                    Two-Dimensional Frequency-Domain Theories

                    Two-Dimensional Arbitrary Motion Theories

                    Bending-Torsion Flutter

                    Three-Dimensional Aerodynamic Theories

                    Dynamic Stall and Stall Flutter

             Analysis of Nonlinear Systems

                    Introduction

                    Simple Linearization

                    Transient Solutions Using Numerical Integration

                    Quasi-Linearization for Explicit Nonlinearities

                    Numerical Methods for Stability Estimation

                    Future Directions

             Model Rotor Testing for Aeroelastic Stability

                    Introduction

                    Scaling Laws

                    Model Construction Considerations

                    Instrumentation and Test Procedures

                    Aeroelastic Considerations for Nonaeroelastic Testing

             Elastomeric Devices for Rotorcraft

                    Introduction

                    Examples of Elastomeric Devices

                    Basic Characteristics of Elastomeric Materials

                    Elastomeric Lead-Lag Dampers

                    Other Applications of Elastomerics

             Blade-Section Properties

                    Introduction

                    Generalized Blade Elastic Properties

                    Beams with Thin-Shell Closed-Cell Construction

                    Multicell Beams

                    Total Section Properties

                    Hygrothermal Effects in Composites

                    Prismatic Bars

             Cross-over Topics

                    Interactions of the Rotor Drive and Engine/Fuel Control Systems

                    Aeroelastic Optimization

             Concluding Thoughts

                    Key Historical Milestones

                    What's on the Horizon?

Appendix A Glossary of Rotorcraft-Related Terms

Appendix B Charts for Blade Frequency Estimation

Appendix C Generalized Frequency-Domain Substructure Synthesis

Appendix D Basic Equations of Motion for Ground Resonance and Air Resonance

Appendix E Composite Materials---Basics

References

Index

Supporting Materials