The Hydroelastic Stability of a Flat Plate

E. H. Dowell. Weaver and Umry have recently presented an interesting study of the title problem. I t is the purpose of the present Discussion to point out that the problem has been studied in considerable greater generality by the present author in reference [ l ] . 3 In particular, the effects of fluid compressibility, plate two-dimensionality, and nonlinear structural behavior have been taken into account. There is also an experimental literature [2], To answer a major question asked by Weaver and Unny, the more comprehensive theory and the most recent as well as earlier experiments all indicate a simple static divergence with no nutter. For a recent survey of the aeroelastic stability of plates and shells (of which hydroelastic stability is a special case) the reader may refer to reference [3].