Melnikov's method for chaos of a two-dimensional thin panel in subsonic flow with external excitation

In this brief communication, Melnikov's method is adopted to study the chaotic behaviors of a two-dimensional thin panel subjected to subsonic flow and external excitation. The nonlinear governing equations of the subsonic panel system are reduced to a series of ordinary differential equations by using Galerkin method. The critical parameters for chaos are obtained. It is found that the critical parameters obtained by the theoretical analysis are in agreement with the numerical simulations. The method suggested in this paper can also be extended for other fluid-structure dynamic systems, such as the fluid-conveying system.

► A two-dimensional panel subjected to subsonic flow and external excitation is modeled.
► Melnikov's method is used to study the chaos of the subsonic panel system.
► Pitchfork-like bifurcation occurs with the increasing dynamic pressure of the subsonic flow.
► The method can be extended for other fluid-structure dynamic systems.