Wikipedia:
Flutter
Flutter is a self-feeding and potentially destructive vibration where aerodynamic forces on an object couple with a structure's
natural mode of
vibration to produce rapid
periodic motion. Flutter can occur in any object within a strong fluid flow, under the conditions that a
positive feedback occurs between the structure's
natural vibrationand the aerodynamic forces. That is, that the vibrational movement ofthe object increases an aerodynamic load which in turn drives theobject to move further. If the energy during the period of aerodynamicexcitation is larger than the natural damping of the system, the levelof vibration will increase, resulting in
self-exciting oscillation.The vibration levels can thus build up and are only limited when theaerodynamic or mechanical damping of the object match the energy input,this often results in large amplitudes and can lead to rapid failure.Because of this, structures exposed to aerodynamic forces - includingwings, aerofoils, but also chimneys and bridges - are designedcarefully within known parameters to avoid flutter. It is however notalways a destructive force; recent progress has been made in smallscale (table top) wind generators for underserved communities indeveloping countries, designed specifically to take advantage of thiseffect.
[1][2]In complex structures where both the aerodynamics and the mechanicalproperties of the structure are not fully understood flutter can onlybe discounted through detailed testing. Even changing the massdistribution of an aircraft or the
stiffness of one component can induce flutter in an apparently unrelated aerodynamic component. At its mildest this can appear as a "
buzz"in the aircraft structure, but at its most violent it can developuncontrollably with great speed and cause serious damage to or thedestruction of the aircraft.
[3]In some cases, automatic control systems have been demonstrated to help prevent or limit flutter related structural vibration.
Flutter can also occur on structures other than aircraft. One famousexample of flutter phenomena is the collapse of the original
Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
"It seems that perfection is reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away" (Antoine de Saint Exupéry)