The von Karman & Dryden Continuous Gust Spectra

Revision B

By Tom Irvine
Email: tom@vibrationdata.com

June 24, 2013

______________________________________________________________________________

Variables

Ω is the radians/feet

β = Ω / 2π is the cycles/feet

f is the frequency (Hz)

is the root-mean-square vertical or lateral gust velocity, equal

v rms to 85 ft/sec between 0 and 30,000 ft, and then decreasing
linearly to 30 ft/sec at 80,000 ft
2500 ft, an integral length scale of turbulent eddies (FAA,
L
1988)
a 1.330 is the von Karman constant

U is the forward aircraft speed

Formulas

The von Karman gust spectrum (1961) is widely used for design aircraft to withstand continuous
random gusts. In particular, FAA Federal Aviation Regulations FAR-25 Appendix G,
Continuous Gust Design Criteria, requires a continuous turbulent gust analysis for transport
aircraft.

The von Karman velocity power spectral density S v for vertical and lateral gusts is

8
1 + ( a LΩ ) 2
2  L  3
S v (Ω ) = v rms   , (ft / sec) 2 / ( rad / ft )
[ ]
  1 + (a LΩ ) 2 11 / 6
π (1)

1
 8
1 + ( 2 π a Lβ ) 2
2
S v (β) = v rms (2 L ) 3 , (ft / sec) 2 / (cycles / ft ) (2)
[1 + (2π a Lβ ) ] 2 11 / 6

8
1 + ( 2π a f L / U ) 2
2  2L  3
S v (f ) = v rms   , (ft / sec) 2 / Hz
 U 
[
1 + (2π a f L / U ) 2
11 / 6
] (3)

The von Karman velocity power spectral density S v for longitudinal gusts is

2  2L  1
S v (Ω ) = v rms   , (ft / sec) 2 /( rad / ft ) (4)
[
 π  1 + ( a L Ω )2 5 / 6 ]
2 1
S v (β) = v rms (4 L ) , (ft / sec) 2 / (cycles / ft ) (5)
[1 + (2π a Lβ ) ] 2 11 / 6

2  4L  1
S v (f ) = v rms   , (ft / sec) 2 / Hz (6)
 U 
[1 + (2π a f L / U ) 2
5/6
]
Reference

1. F. Hoblit, Gust Loads on Aircraft: Concepts and Applications, AIAA Education Series,
1988.

2
 APPENDIX A

Dryden Gust

The Dryden velocity power spectral density S v for vertical and lateral gusts is

2
2  L  1 + 3 ( LΩ )
S v (Ω ) = v rms   , (ft / sec) 2 / ( rad / Hz )
[
 π  1 + ( LΩ ) 2 2 ] (A-1)

2 1 + 3 ( 2 π Lβ) 2
S v (β) = v rms (2 L ) , (ft / sec) 2 / (cycles / ft )
[1 + (2π β) ] 2 2 (A-2)

2
2  2L  1 + 3 (2π f L / U )
S v (f ) = v rms   , (ft / sec) 2 / Hz
 U 
[
1 + (2π f L / U ) 2
2
] (A-3)

The Dryden velocity power spectral density S v for longitudinal gusts is

2  2L  1
S v (Ω) = v rms   , (ft / sec) 2 / ( rad / Hz )
[
 π  1 + ( LΩ ) 2 2 ] (A-4)

2 1
S v (β) = v rms (4 L ) , (ft / sec) 2 / (cycles / ft )
[1 + (2π β) ] 2 2 (A-5)

2  4L  1
S v (f ) = v rms   , (ft / sec) 2 / Hz
 U
[1 + (2π f L / U ) 2
2
] (A-6)