The Accuracy of Linear Piston Theory When Applied to Cylindrical Shells

Piston theory was introduced into aeroelasticity in the linearized form by Ashley and Zartarian as a handy tool in 1956. This theory furnishes an approximation for the aerodynamic pressure acting on a slightly deformed flat plate in a supersonic airstream. The linearized piston theory is used widely in the investigation of the flutter of flat panels. Because of the lack of appropriate approximations for the aerodynamic pressure acting on a vibrating cylindrical shell, linear piston theory is used also in investigations of the flutter of cylindrical shells. There are doubts about the accuracy of using the linear piston theory for cylindrical shells. In the following, a short survey of an investigation of the accuracy of the linear piston theory when applied to cylindrical shells is given. (Author)