Mechanical Vibration and Aeroelasticity

Extract

In his article “The Expanding Domain of Aeroelasticity,” Professor Collar explains how, in the course of a few years, the subject of aeroelasticity has grown from a mere collection of problems of common interest to the aerodynamicist and the structural specialist to become a main branch of aeronautical engineering. Aeronautical engineers owe Professor Collar a debt of gratitude for defining in the clearest terms what aeroelasticity purports to be, and for removing the vagueness and uncertainty which so often permeates any new branch of science or engineering, especially when it is derived from long–established subjects, as aeroelasticity is from aerodynamics and theory of structures.

As is to be expected from one so distinguished in the aeroelastic field, Professor Collar writes especially from the standpoint of the aeroelastic specialist. Engineers with a different background, while accepting the broad principles which Professor Collar lays down, may see their applications and development in a different light.