Sensitivity analysis of discrete periodic systems with applications to helicopter rotor dynamics

Abstract

We present a sensitivity formulation for periodic systems and a theoretical model for a helicopter rotor in forward flight. The formulation and the rotor model are validated by a few comparisons with other available methods and experimental values. The greatest advantage of the present sensitivity analysis is that the order of the Floquet matrix is independent of the number parameters to be investigated. This yields substantial savings in computation times over the existing methods.