GROUND RESONANCE

BY
AKHILESH SASANKAN
1206593306

CONTENTS

What is ground effect?

How does it happen?
How can we mitigate ground resonance?
Analysis of ground resonance.
Conclusion.

What is ground effect?

DEFINITION

Definition
Ground resonance is a self excited oscillations of

helicopter on the earth , due to specific dynamic

instability.
Manifests itself as a violent rocking of the
helicopter on the ground.
Caused by resonance between body/airframe and
the rotor system

Definition Contd.
Vibrations derive energy from the rotation of rotors

instead of from the aerodynamic forces.

Occurs only in rotor system with drag hinge
a. Does not happen in rotor system with just two
blades i.e.
b. Occurs only in rotor system with three or more
blades

How does it happen?

Causes
Articulated rotor systems with drag hinges allow

each individual blade to advance or lag in its rotation

When spacing of the blades becomes irregular, it
shifts the rotor's center of gravity from the axis of
rotation, which causes an oscillation.
When this unbalanced system is rotated it causes the
oscillatory movements of the fuselge.

Ground Resonance

Causes contd.
Usually the ground resonance is precipitated by
a.
b.

Hard landing /asymmetrical ground contact

Components of landing gear or dampening
system are improperly maintained.

How to mitigate ground

resonance?
BY DESIGN
PILOT CONTROLS

Drag Dampers
Using drag dampers to restrict the motion of the

blades

Shock absorber/hydraulic type

Elastomeric type

When the resonance begins

Raise the helicopter into the air
1.

Once the tires are no longer touching the ground the

vibration fades

Wait and hope

1.

Shut down the engine.

Analysis of ground resonance

THEORY OF SELF EXCITED MECHANICAL
OSCILLATIONS OF HINGED ROTOR BLADES
PAPER BY
ROBERT P COLEMAN

Types of vibration
Classified from the roots of characteristic equation

Ordinary vibration

a.
1.

Externally applied force is required to maintain.

Self Excited vibration

b.
1.
2.

Has negative damping

Mathematically, roots of characteristic equation is complex with
imaginary part negative.

Shaft Critical vibration

c.
1.
2.

Vibration excited by unbalance.

Frequency of rotor system= Frequency of rotor frame

Equations of
motion
General form
of solutions is
an elliptic
whirling
motion
special case :
whirling in
circle
c2=c4=0
c1=c2;c3=c4

Conclusion
As a result of the investigations noted above and

others, occurrences of ground resonance can now be

predicted for articulated, hinge less, and bearing less
rotors with great accuracy.

Ground resonance: Chinook 47

Thank you!