Flutter prediction on combined EPS and carbon sandwich structure for light aircraft wing

Flutter prediction is an important step before conducting a flight test. In this study, we performed flutter prediction of a half-wing structure without control surfaces. The half-wing structure is made to resemble the scaled-down wing of a Boeing 737 NG at a scale of 1:39.34. The airfoil profile used is the wing profile of the Boeing 737 NG obtained from airfoiltools. The structure is constructed using a combination of carbon sandwich andEPS. The advantages of choosing this material are its low-cost and easymanufacture. We used the p-k method in the FEMAP software for flutter prediction. From the prediction results, the calculated flutter speed is ∼14.5 m/s. The flutter mode shape is a combination of lateral bending and twist. Dimensional analysis was also carried out to predict the maximum speed on the scaled model and predicted at 27.88 m/s. Based on calculated flutter speed, the maximum operating speed of a constructed structure should be far less than the flutter speed. Thus, the structure's maximum speed is below the predicted value. Based on carried out flutter prediction, the wing structure, constructed using a combination of carbon sandwich and EPS, can fly safely at a maximum cruise speed of 10 m/s.