Partial structure similarity method to design composite transonic flutter model

Partial structure similarity model design concept is a better method for composite flutter model design, which can be applied to design transonic flutter model for aircraft wing and tail plane. The proposed design strategy, called partial structure similarity, is to keep the primary structure parts similar to the prototype of the wing structure, the layout of skin and load transfer path of the real wing structures are considered as supplement to conventional concept of dynamic similarity model design. This method can be used to determine the stiffness and inertial distribution of the model with high accuracy and thus lead to an improved similarity of vibration and flutter characteristics between the model and the prototype. Transonic flutter model of an aircraft horizontal tail is designed and manufactured using this method and vibration tests are conducted to verify its feasibility and accuracy. Design procedure is given in details especially for the adjustment of stiffness and inertia scaling factors. It is shown that this method is qualified from the vibration test results.