Transverse shear effect on flutter of composite panels

The effect of transverse shear deformation on the supersonic flutter of composite panels has been investigated using the finite element method. First-order shear-deformation laminated-plate theory and quasi-steady aerodynamic theory are employed for the analysis. The total displacement of the plate is expressed as the sum of the displacement due to bending and the displacement due to shear deformation. Thus, the aerodynamic pressure induced by the plate motion is also the sum of the pressure induced by bending deformation and the pressure induced by shear deformation. Numerical results show that the transverse shear deformation may have a significant effect on the flutter boundary if aerodynamic damping were small or neglected in the determination of flutter boundary.