Dynamical Systems Methods in Aerospace Engineering

B. Krauskopf (Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, UK)

The 1990's and early 2000's saw substantial research into the application of nonlinear dynamical systems theory in the field of aerospace engineering. This focussed principally on the flight mechanics behaviour of aircraft operating at extremes of their flight envelopes, where aerodynamic and other phenomena are significantly nonlinear. Whilst useful results were obtained -- some of which are developing into practical tools, such as for analysis of underslung loads below a helicopter, and analysis of flight control law robustness -- they have not as yet entered the industrial mainstream.
This minisymposium addresses examples of more recent studies of aeronautical applications which are indeed being integrated into industry.

Specifically, continuation methods and bifurcation analysis are incorporated into nonlinear studies of aircraft behaviour on the ground -- both from a vibration and a rigid-body motion perspective -- as well as in applications into rotorcraft stability and in aircraft braking system and mechanism design. In each case, the approach brings a new extended capability in the understanding of nonlinear engineering systems and the papers show the promise offered by these techniques to the aerospace sector in both design and analysis.

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