Study of Shimmy phenomenon in landing gears using computer numerical methods

• Grant number: 16/09722-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Flávio Donizeti Marques
• Grantee: Gustavo Moraes Coraça
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Shimmy phenomenon corresponds to severe self-excited oscillations present in airplanes landing gears, cars wheels and even in supermarket trolleys. The shimmy is caused by the non-linear effect of contact forces between tires and ground during the rolling movement. The phenomenon represents a serious problem in projects and vehicle operations, demanding a proper and precise analysis in order to promote improvements in the mechanical systems under shimmy vibrations. Based on non-linear physical models of contact forces between pneumatic and floor for airplanes landing gears, mathematical models will be applied to the study and analysis of the shimmy problem with the implementation of numerical methods, to generate results and compare them with those available in the technical literature, in a way to conclude about the characteristics of the self-excited oscillation phenomenon.