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Unsteady aerodynamic theory for membrane wings

We study analytically the dynamic response of membrane aerofoils subject to arbitrary, small-amplitude chord motions and transverse gusts in a two-dimensional inviscid incompressible flow. The theoretical model assumes linear deformations of an extensible membrane under constant tension, which are coupled aeroelastically to external aerodynamic loads using unsteady thin aerofoil theory. The structural and aerodynamic membrane responses are investigated for harmonic heave oscillations, an instantaneous change in angle of attack, sinusoidal transverse gusts, and a sharp-edged gust. The unsteady lift responses for these scenarios produce aeroelastic extensions to the Theodorsen, Wagner, Sears, and Küssner functions, respectively, for a membrane aerofoil. These extensions incorporate for the first time membrane fluid-structure interaction into the expressions for the unsteady lift response of a flexible aerofoil. Our results suggest that membrane aerofoils with appropriately tuned pretension could possess substantial aerodynamic benefits over rigid aerofoils in unsteady flow conditions.