Uncertainty Quantification in Aeroelasticity: Recent Results and Research Challenges

Abstract

Static and dynamic aeroelasticity considerations are a particularly important component of airframe design because they often control safety and performance. Consequently, the impact of uncertainty on aeroelastic response prediction has begun to receive substantial attention in the research literature. In this paper, general sources of uncertainty that complicate airframe design and testing are briefly described. Recent applications of uncertainty quantification to various aeroelastic problems, for example, flutter flight testing, prediction of limit-cycle oscillations, and design optimization with aeroelastic constraints, are reviewed with an emphasis on new physical insights and promising paths toward improved design methods that have resulted from these studies. Several challenges and needs are explored to suggest future steps that will enable practical application of uncertainty quantification in aeroelasticity design and certification.