Nonlinear Flutter of a Two-Dimensional Viscoelastic Plate with Motion Constraints in Subsonic Flow

In order to study the stability and nonlinear flutter of a cantilevered viscoelastic plate with nonlinear motion constraints in subsonic flow, the motion equation of the cantilevered plate is established by Hamilton theory. The equation is then transformed to a series of ordinary differential equations using the Galerkin method;the flutter and divergence is addressed and their boundaries are presented in a two-parameter space. The complex nonlinear behavior in the region of flutter instability is investigated using numerical simulations. The flutter region is divided into three subregions according to different types of plate motions. Results show that the plate loses it stability by flutter;the plate undergoes limit cycle motions due to the nonlinearity after flutter instability;period-3 and period-5 motions appear along with chaotic motions;and, with the dynamic pressure increasing, divergent motions occur finally.