COMPLEX NOTATION IN FLUTTER ANALYSIS. TECHNICAL NOTE

Flutter analysis in aircraft or bridge engineering has to include motion-induced aerodynamic forces. These forces are mathematically described in two equivalent ways, namely, by real number or complex number expressions. Accordingly, flutter analysis can be performed using either real or complex arithmetic. At first glance, the use of either kind of notation seems to be more a question of personal preference, as both lead to the same numerical results. Nevertheless, this paper attempts to advocate the use of complex notation both in aircraft and bridge flutter analysis. Real-number and complex-number descriptions of the same mechanical phenomena are compared. It is shown that, apart from computational advantages, complex notation leads to mathematically more compact and more elegant expressions, which is of significance particularly from an educational standpoint.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339445
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Starossek, U
• Publication Date: 1998-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 975-977
• Serial:
  • Journal of Structural Engineering
  • Volume: 124
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9445
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/loi/jsendh

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Aeroelasticity; Aircraft; Bridge engineering; Calculation; Complex variables; Flutter; Flutter (Aeronautics); Force; Mathematical methods
• Old TRIS Terms: Computations
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00753265
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: CMS-94-09268
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 1998 12:00AM