Flutter analysis using transversality theory (Q1341905)

A new method of calculating the flutter boundaries of undamped aeroelastic ``typical section'' models is presented. The method is an application of the weak transversality theorem used in catastrophe theory. Our approach is to use the transversality theorem in locating such flutter boundaries using this criterion: at a flutter boundary, the characteristic polynomial does not intersect the axis of the abscissa transversally. Formulae for computing the flutter boundaries of structures with two degrees of freedom are presented, and extension to multi-degree of freedom systems is indicated.