The μ-k method for robust flutter solutions

A straightforward frequency-domain method for robust flutter analysis is presented. First, a versatile uncertainty description for the unsteady aerodynamic forces is derived by assigning uncertainty to the frequency-domain pressure coefficients. The uncertainty description applies to any frequency-domain aerodynamic method, benefits from the same level of geometric detail as the underlying aerodynamic model, exploits the modal formulation of the flutter equation, and is computed by simple postprocessing of standard aerodynamic data. Next, structured singular value analysis is applied to derive an explicit criterion for robust flutter stability based on the flutter equation and a parametric uncertainty description. The resulting procedure for computation of a worst-case flutter boundary resembles a p-k or g-method flutter analysis, produces match-point flutter solutions and allows for detailed aerodynamic uncertainty descriptions. Finally, the proposed method is successfully applied to a wind-tunnel model in low-speed airflow.