Abstract: A new type of flutter solution based on matrix singularity is presented as a combination of the concepts of flutter and matrix analysis theories. A unique property of this method is just using the minimum singular value or inverse condition number of the flutter matrix as singularity indicators to determine the flutter boundary. These two indicators are proven to be equivalent right at the flutter point. Associated algorithm is developed for flutter solution with these indicators simply by frequency sweeping approach without solving flutter eigenvalues, which is more efficient with improvement in automation, thus requiring less human intervention. Numerical examples show that these indicators give the same flutter results as those solved by the classical p-kmethod, and the equivalence of these indicators is also demonstrated.

Key words: flutter, flutter matrix, flutter determinant, minimum singular value, inverse condition number