Chaotic Analysis of Nonlinear Viscoelastic Panel Flutter in Supersonic Flow

In this paper chaotic behavior of nonlinear viscoelastic panels in asupersonic flow is investigated. The governing equations, based on vonKàarmàn's large deflection theory of isotropic flat plates, areconsidered with viscoelastic structural damping of Kelvin's modelincluded. Quasi-steady aerodynamic panel loadings are determined usingpiston theory. The effect of constant axial loading in the panel middlesurface and static pressure differential have also been included in thegoverning equation. The panel nonlinear partial differential equation istransformed into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equationsthrough a Galerkin approach. The resulting system of equations is solvedthrough the fourth and fifth-order Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg (RKF-45)integration method. Static (divergence) and Hopf (flutter) bifurcationboundaries are presented for various levels of viscoelastic structuraldamping. Despite the deterministic nature of the system of equations,the dynamic panel response can become random-like. Chaotic analysis isperformed using several conventional criteria. Results are indicative ofthe important influence of structural damping on the domain of chaoticregion.