Robust Aeroelastic Stability Analysis Considering Frequency-Domain Aerodynamic Uncertainty

The problem of modeling frequency-domain aerodynamic uncertainty for a slender wing structure is investigated. Based on an unsteady lifting-line theory used for the generalized aerodynamic forces, a quite versatile uncertainty description with a clear physical interpretation is proposed. The uncertainty description is easily put in a form suitable for application of the (mu) framework in robust linear control. Because only frequency response matrices are required for the (mu) computations, the proposed uncertainty description can be used for robust stability and performance analysis without rational function approximations of the aerodynamic transfer function matrices. The usefulness of the uncertainty description and the methods available for robust aeroelastic stability analysis is demonstrated by performing aeroelastic wind-tunnel experiments.