The non-linear behavior of an elastic panel subjected to the combinati
on of supersonic gas flow and quasi-static loading in the middle surfa
ce is studied. Particular attention is focused on the bifurcation path
s in the flutter domain, including their remote parts. A variety of at
tractors, both periodic and chaotic, are observed. Moreover, non-symme
tric stable periodic vibrations have been explored in regions far away
from areas of divergence (buckling) instability. The transition from
one attractor to the next one is discussed when the control parameters
vary continuously. Hysteretic phenomena are studied by comparing the
system's behavior in direct and return paths on the control parameter
plane. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.