A dynamic instability where a structure absorbs energy from a fluid flow, causing rapid, escalating oscillations. It occurs when aerodynamic forces couple with the natural elastic modes of the object, such as an aircraft wing or a turbine blade. If not damped or designed out, the escalating vibration quickly exceeds the material's yield strength and causes catastrophic structural failure.
Heard on the job
We had to stiffen the trailing edge of the fan blade because it was going into flutter at maximum RPM.
Also heard as
- aeroelastic flutter