Flutter Characteristics of a Rectangular Sheet under the Influence of Nearby Structures

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study on flutter of a sheet under the influence of nearby structures. In the experiment, a flat plate (baffle plate) and a circular cylinder are used as the nearby structures. The sheet is supported at the leading edge and subjected to axial fluid flow and set near the structures (baffle plate and circular cylinder). In the experiment, we measured flutter velocity and corresponding frequency with gradually increasing the flow velocity of air. Then, we examined the influence of four experimental parameters related to the position of nearby structures (offset, gap width, plate thickness and circular cylinder diameter) on flutter characteristics. Moreover, influence of flow turbulence caused by these structures on flutter characteristics is discussed by flow visualization utilized smoking-wire method.