Experimental observation of single mode panel flutter in supersonic gas flow

Single mode flutter is a type of panel flutter, which cannot be analyzed theoretically using conventional piston theory, and for this reason it is studied very little. No previous experiments, where this type of panel flutter was clearly detected, were conducted. In this paper a plate, designed such that it cannot experience “classical” coupled-mode type flutter, but can experience single mode flutter, is tested. Analysis of the tested data clearly indicates the occurrence of single mode panel flutter.