Development of a finite element aeroelastic analysis capability

Extensions of the general-purpose finite element (FE) structural analysis program STARS for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based aeroelastic analysis are described. Previous capabilities include structural as well as aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic analyses using linear aerodynamic theories. The current extension involves FE-based CFD solution techniques for aeroelastic analysis, and this article describes the development and application of this integrated, multidisciplinary FE analysis tool for effective modeling and simulation of aerospace vehicles. Numerical examples of flutter solution of two representative problems, namely a panel and a 45-deg swept-back wing are presented in this article, along with comparisons of computed and experimental results that testify to the efficacy of the presently developed numerical techniques.