AEROELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF COMPOSITE PLATES SUBJECT TO DAMAGE GROWTH

A study of the aeroelastic response of damaged composite plates is pre sented, The plates considered are those that undergo damage on a slow or rapid time stale due to the natural progression of microcracks in t he composite structure. Dynamic characteristics are unique to the coup led damage/aeroelastic system and are developed as part of the solutio n methodology. The aeroelastic response is shown to be highly dependen t upon the distribution and accumulation of damage, and the importance of the interdependence of aeroelastic stability and damage is establi shed. The aeroelastic stability boundary evolves with the growth of da mage and the results show the need to develop damage as part of the so lution.