Aeroelastic Criterion for Leading Edge Stiffness: Determination of the Divergence Stiffness of a Supersonic Lifting Surface Subjected to Kinetic Heating

A composite chart is presented to facilitate the rapid determination of a critical divergence stiffness for a straight or swept leading edge of a lifting surface. The aeroelastic criterion is intended for use in initial design work and there is scope for the inclusion of other materials than those shown. To accommodate the effects of kinetic heating the material temperature has been taken identical to that of the boundary layer adjacent to it.