Flow-Induced Flutter of a Hanging Banner : A Configuration for Validation of Computational Models

Flow-induced flutter of elastic membranes presents interesting flow-structure interaction physics. Recent advances in computational modeling and computing power are enabling simulation of such problems in unprecedented detail. However, appropriate experiment that would allow comprehensive validation of such models is lacking. To fill this gap, we conduct experiments on flow-induced flutter of a hanging banner in a low Reynolds number wind tunnel using a high-speed imaging. Silicon sheets of two different thicknesses are used as the membrane material for the hanging banner and the other variables in the study are the flow speed and the banner yaw angle. A variety of flutter regimes are observed for the parameters studied here and sufficient data is provided to enable the computational modeling of this configuration.