Aeroelastic semiphysical simulation and wind-tunnel testing validation of a fin-actuator system

An all-moving fin-actuator model was designed to explore the principles and methods of aeroelastic semiphysical simulations. Both mathematical analyses and wind-tunnel tests were conducted to support and verify the simulation. The dynamic characteristicsofthe actuatorwere introduced into the flutter calculations, which were also comparedto a conventional flutter algorithm. Shakers were used to generate aerodynamic forces in the simulation. A nonlinear variable-structure controller was developed to solve the force coupling problems between shakers. The real-time aerodynamic calculation scheme and the locations of sensors were specifically designed for the test model used in this study. Good agreements were achieved for the flutter boundaries using these approaches. The semiphysical simulation was thus shown to be an economical and practical method for solving aeroelastic problems. This work enriches the literature on aeroelastic simulation methodologies.