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Procedia Engineering 31 (2012) 128 – 135

International Conference on Advances in Computational Modeling and Simulation

Aeroelastic Stability of a Slender Missile with Constant Thrust

Lei Wua*, ChangchuanXiea, ChaoYanga
a
School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing 100191, China

Abstract

The transverse vibration, dynamic stability and flutter characteristics of a flexible missile with constant thrust are
discussed. In the vibration analysis, the missile body is idealized as an un-uniform beam and the end rocket thrust is
considered as constant force. The rudder is connected to the body, using the dynamic sub-structure method. Following
the establishment of mathematic model based on the extended Hamilton’s principle, the finite element method is
introduced in the simulation of model for dynamic analysis. The first order piston theory is used in the calculation of
supersonic unsteady aerodynamics. Then the flutter characteristics of flexible missile are analyzed. The results indicate
that the transverse vibration characteristics of missile can be influenced in consideration of the constant thrust, which
results in the dynamic instability and reduction of critical flutter speed.

© 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Kunming
University of Science and Technology Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.

Keywords: structure dynamics; dynamic stability; aeroelasticity; thrust; vibration;

Introduction

Dynamic stability of flexible structure subjected to follower thrust has been investigated widely [1-4].
Different styles of load, such as follower thrust, constant thrust and partially follower forces may have
dissimilar effects on structures. Some relative experiments about the dynamic stability of columns have
been researched, and the results are analyzed in contrast with theory.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +86-10-82338723; fax: +86-10-82317510.

E-mail address: elizabeth.wu2010@gmail.com

1877-7058 © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2012.01.1002
 Lei Wu et al. / Procedia Engineering 31 (2012) 128 – 135 129

Wu [5] studied the stability behavior of a flexible missile idealized as a free-free beam by using the
finite-element technique. He concluded that the magnitude and location of the concentrated mass could
improve the stability of a missile. Song [6] focused on the lateral vibration characters of the flying vehicle
considering the constant thrust and drag, and gave out the numerical results. However, both of them did not
consider the aerodynamics which would affect the flutter speed of flexible missile.
Seungmook Chae and Dewey H. Hodges [7] analyzed the effects of both unsteady aerodynamic and
thrust on flexible missile with giving out their preliminary results. Tsukasa OHSHIMA and Yoshihiko
SUGIYAMA [8] surveyed the dynamic stability of a slender launch vehicle subjected to aerodynamic loads
and an end rocket thrust. Their work focused on the different models of aerodynamic built on the free-free
beam with an end follower thrust.
In order to study the thrust effects of slender, flexible missile comprehensively, the work of this paper
survey the constant thrust effects on transverse vibration, structure dynamic stability and aeroelastic
stability, which would supply instructions for engineering experiments and modeling of flying. Firstly, the
mathematic model is based on the extended Hamilton’s principle, and the body of freely flying missile can
be modelled as un-uniform beam by using finite element method. Then the wing can be connected to the
body by using dynamic sub-structure method. In analysis of dynamic stability, the thrust can cause the
missile instability. Furthermore, the aerodynamic are calculated by first order piston theory [9] and the
results indicate that the thrust affect the flutter speed and the modes of the flexible missile.
Nomenclature
l length of the body of the missile
EI(x) bending stiffness varies along the beam
m(x) mass per unit length varies along the beam
P thrust of the rocket
U potential energy
K kinetic energy
a longitudinal acceleration
M matrix of mass
K kinetic energy
N(x) inner axis force
v(x,t) the transverse flexible displacement along the beam
u(x,t) the longitudinal flexible displacement along the beam
M(x) mode of structure
q (t) general coordinate
Q the vector of general unsteady aerodynamic loads
130 Lei Wu et al. / Procedia Engineering 31 (2012) 128 – 135

1. Analysis

1.1. Structure Modeling

This study assumes that the effect of the thrust only acts on the body of the missile and would not
influence the fins. The body of the missile is simplified as a non-uniform beam which is subjected to a
constant thrust.
y

P x
y

a2
a1 x
For
small deformation of a non-extension beam, we could get
x 1 wv( x, t ) 2 (1)
u ( x, t ) ³  ( ) dx
0 2 wx
Then wu ( x, t ) 1 wv( x, t ) 2 (2)
| ( )
wx 2 wx
According to the extended Hamilton’s principle,
t2 t2
į ³ ( K  W  U )dt  ³ įWp dt 0 (3)
t1 t1
The kinetic energy and the potential energy of the system are,
1 l wv( x, t ) 2 1 l wv 2 ( x, t ) 2
K m( x)( ) dx U EI ( x)( ) dx
2 ³0 wt 2 ³0 wx 2 (4)
The work of inertia force in the lateral direction and the virtual work of the constant thrust are
l x 1 wv(Ș, t ) 2 (5)
W ³ m( x)a[ ³  ( ) dȘ]dx
0 0 2 wȘ
įWp  pįU (l , t) (6)

And
l wv( x, t ) wįv( x, t ) (7)
įU ³  ʘ ଉ dx
0 wx wx
l wv( x, t ) wįv( x, t ) (8)
įWp ³ p ʘ ଉ dx
0 wx wx
By using the boundary conditions
 Lei Wu et al. / Procedia Engineering 31 (2012) 128 – 135 131

wv 2 ( x, t ) wv 2 ( x, t ) (9)
EI ( x, t ) |x 0 EI ( x, t ) |x l 0
wx 2 wx 2
The transverse vibration of engine will produce the shearing force,
wu ( x, t )
p (t ) |x 0
wx
2
So w [ EI ( x) wv ( x, t ) ] |x ­w
0ˈ® [ EI ( x)
wv 2 ( x, t )
] p
wv( x, t ) ½
wx wx 2
l 2 ¾ |x 0 0
¯ wx wx wx ¿

At last, we could get

w 2 v( x, t ) w x wv( x, t ) w2 w 2v( x, t ) w wv( x, t ) (10)
m( x) 2
 [ ³ m(K )adK ] 2
[ EI ( x) ] [p ] 0
wt wx 0 wx wx wx 2 wx wx
In our study, the acceleration is only the function of the thrust and the total mass of the missile, therefore
x
p  ³ m(K )adK N ( x)
0 (11)
The equation(10)can be written as
w 2 v( x, t ) w2 w 2 v ( x, t ) w wv( x, t )
m( x)  [ EI ( x ) ] [ N ( x) ] 0
wt 2 wx 2 wx 2 wx wx
N
Set v( x, t ) ¦M ( x)q (t )
i i
i 1

We could get
Mq  ( K str  K N )q 0 (12)
l
M i, j ³ m( x)Mi ( x)M j ( x)dx
0

l w 2 ( EIMi ( x)) cc
K stri , j ³ M j ( x)dx
0 wx 2
l w ( N ( x)Mic ( x))
K Ni , j ³ M j ( x) dx
0 wx
Eq. (12) can be written into the status space form
ªq º ªq º (13)
«q » A« »
¬ ¼ ¬q ¼

Where ª 0 Iº
A «  M 1 K  K
¬  str N  0»
¼

The stability of the system is determined by the eigenvalues of the Matrix A. According to the concept
of asymptotic stability, if the real part of the eigenvalues is less than zero, the system is stable; if the real
part is greater than zero, the system is unstable; and if the real part equals to zero, then the system is of the
critical stability.

1.2. Equation for flutter analysis

General mode coordinates q are used in flutter analysis, where the natural vibration modes are the shape
functions. The general equation of aeroelastic motion is
Mq  Kq Q (14)
132 Lei Wu et al. / Procedia Engineering 31 (2012) 128 – 135

Q is the vector of general unsteady aerodynamic loads, which is calculated by the first order piston
theory .The flutter characteristics could be solved by V-g method or p-k method.

1.3. Finite element model

The model discussed here is a typical slender missile with an all-movable rudder and the constant thrust.
The missile are modelled by beam elements and lumped mass. Fig.1 shows the Finite Element Analysis
(FEA) model.

Figure 1. FEA model of a generic missile.

2. Results and discussions

In the stability analysis, the first eight orders of the elastic modes are calculated. The numerical
simulations are carried out in two steps: in the first step, only considering the effect of the constant thrust,
the results are calculated by the method of program of FEM in the stability analysis; in the second step both
the influences of the constant thrust and the unsteady aerodynamic loads are considered, and the fin is
connected to the body by the dynamic sub-structure method..

3.1. Effects of an end constant thrust

Before analyzing the thrust influence on the critical flutter speed, the study first considers the effect of
the constant thrust on the stability of the missile model. Fig.2 (a) and Fig.2 (b) show the frequency and
eigenvalues of the body changes with the constant thrust variability. The abscissa represents the constant
thrust; and the ordinate represents the frequency. Numerical results show that the frequency of the first
three order modes of the model varies with the constant thrust. When the value of the thrust is up to
1526kN, the frequency of the first mode then becomes zero. Fig. 2 (b) shows the real part of the
eigenvalues of the first order modes. The abscissa represents the constant thrust; and the ordinate represents
the eigenvalue. When the frequency of the first mode becomes zero in Fig. 2 (a), the real part of the mode
turns into positive, which means that the system is unstable, causing by the constant thrust.
 Lei Wu et al. / Procedia Engineering 31 (2012) 128 – 135 133

200

180

160

140
8000 the 1st mode divergence
Frequency(rad/s)

120

Real parts of the Eigenvalue

100 6000

80

60 4000

40
2000
20

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 0
1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000
Thrust(KN) Thrust(KN)

Fig. 2(a) Frequency Character with the Variation Constant Thrust; (b) Real Part of the Eigenvalues with
the Variation Constant Thrust
Fig.3(a) and Fig.3(b) are the characters of the first and second bending modes of the missile body under
the variation thrusts; in the two figures the abscissa represent the position of nodes, and the ordinate
represent the displacement of mode shapes. From Figures 3, considering the constant thrust, the first and
second mode shapes vary with the thrust. In the first mode, both the amplitude and the wave crest show a
distinct change when the constant thrust varies. However, for in the second mode, the amplitude and the
wave crest change little. According to these results, it is concluded that the shape of the mode has diverse
sensitivity to the constant thrust.
0KN
0KN
300KN
300KN
600KN
0.5 600KN 0.6 900KN
900KN
1200KN
1200KN
0.4
1500KN 1500KN
0.4 1800KN
1800KN
0.3

0.2
0.2
Y
Y

0.1
0.0

0.0
-0.2
-0.1

-0.2 -0.4
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
X X

Fig. 3(a) Vibration mode 1 with Different Thrusts; (b) Vibration Mode 2 with Different Thrusts

3.2. Effects of thrust and aerodynamic loads

As the thrust can change the frequencies and mode shapes of the missile, undoubtedly it may also
influence the flutter critical speed. Results of the flutter critical speed are plotted in terms of the constant
thrust which is shown in the Figure 4. In that figure, the abscissa represents the constant thrust; the ordinate
represents the flutter critical speed of the missile. It can be seen that there is a continuous decrease in the
critical speed with the increase in the thrust. For our model, the thrust has decreased the flutter critical
speed from 1008 m/s (when the constant thrust=0) to 810 m/s (when the constant thrust =1200kN). The
explanation can be presented that to this kind of structure the constant thrust will reduce its flutter speed
134 Lei Wu et al. / Procedia Engineering 31 (2012) 128 – 135

boundary, for the reason that the thrust transforms the frequencies and the mode shapes of the flutter mode
which therefore causes the change of the critical flutter speed. From another perspective, it may be
concluded that there is a continuous increase in the magnitude of the thrust required for instability with the
air speed which is less than the aeroelastic instability speed.

1000

Flutter Critical Speed(m/s)

950

900

850

800

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Thrust(KN)

Fig.4 Flutter Critical Speed with the Variation Thrust

3. Conclusion

An analytical solution for this case is developed through the use of the finite element method for
structure dynamics and the first-order piston theory for unsteady aerodynamic loads. The results of the
stability analyses for our model show that: when only the effect of the constant thrust is considered, it can
be instability, while the constant thrust is very large. The frequencies and the shapes of the modes are all
changed by the thrust but show diverse sensitivity to it. When focus is concentrated on the aeroelastic
stability of the missile which is subjected to a constant thrust, it shows that the increasing constant thrust
decreases the flutter critical speed. If the constant thrust is increased as much as it is required, the air speed
may turns into the critical speed.
In the structure dynamic analysis, the stiffness of the missile is reduced by adding with constant thrust.
As the increasing of the thrust, the missile will become unstable. Considering the aerodynamics together,
the aeroelastic characters would be changed, which result in the changing of flutter characters, such as the
reduction of critical flutter speed.

References

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[5] Wu J. J., Missile Stability Using Finite Elements-an Unconstrained Variational Approach, AIAA Journa, 1976, 14(3): 313-319
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 Lei Wu et al. / Procedia Engineering 31 (2012) 128 – 135 135

[7] Seungmook Chae and Dewey H. Hodges, Dynamics and Aeroelastic Analysis of Missiles, 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS
Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Norfolk, Virginia, 7-10 April 2003.
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