Flutter of Cantilevered Column under Rocket Thrust

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental investigation on the flutter of viscoelastic cantilevers subjected to a tangential follower force. The force was produced by the direct installation of a real solid rocket motor to the tip end of the cantilevered columns. The columns lost their stability by flutter. The results were compared with theoretical flutter predictions made by accounting for an internal damping of the test columns, as well as the mass and size of the installed rocket motor. The introduction of the concept of instability in a finite time interval is of vital importance in predicting the experimental flutter force. © ASCE.