Fluid/Structure Interaction of Cantilevered Plate in Supersonic Separated Flow

The fluid-structure interaction of a cantilevered plate geometry in Mach 2 flow was studied experimentally to assess the effects structural compliance on surrounding flowfield. test geometry, representative compliant control surface, consists an overhanging that extends past edge backward-facing step create separated region flow. This allowed for study recirculation and unsteady pressure forcing without shock/boundary-layer interactions would be present if were inclined Rigid articles capture fluid response with deformation. Schlieren photography particle image velocimetry showed under conditions during startup wind tunnel flexible exhibited highly dynamic oscillatory frequencies similar its natural vibration response. Under steady, started supersonic conditions, cantilever smaller oscillations around mean deflection two thicknesses. Oil visualization revealed nontrivial three-dimensionality section Modal decomposition stereo digital correlation measurements demonstrated distinct plate’s consistently correspond same mode shapes.