Analysis of panel thermal flutter using maximum Lyapunov exponent

We build the nonlinear aeroelastic model for a two-dimensional heated panel and introduce the maximum Lyapunov exponent to determine the character of the nonlinear motion of the heated panel under various aerodynamic pressures and temperature rises. Section 1 of the full paper briefs the Lyapunov exponent. Subsection 2.1 explains how to obtain the stability region of the heated panel through using the response phase plot of the motion of the heated panel together with its maximum Lyapunov exponent. Subsection 2.2 gives the numerical results and their discussion. Figs. 1 and 2 present the deflection time history and phase plot of decay vibration converging respectively to: (1) the initially static equilibrium; (2) a post buckling equilibrium. Figs.3 and 4 give the deflection time history, phase plot and final stable state LCO (limit cycle oscillation) phase plot respectively of: (1) simple harmonic LCO flutter; (2) periodic but not simple harmonic LCO flutter. Fig. 5 shows the deflection time history and phase plot of chaotic flutter. Fig.6 and Table 1 present respectively the stability regions and the maximum Lyapunov exponents of the heated panel under various aerodynamic pressures and temperature rises.