Resonance

RESONANCE
There are many forms of resonance associated with a helicopter; just two of them are explained
here.
Sympathetic Resonance
This is the harmonic "beat" between the main and tail rotor systems or other components or
assemblies which might damage the helicopter. This type of resonance has been engineered out of
most helicopters (e.g. by designing the main and tail rotor gearboxes in odd decimal ratios).
However, when resonance ranges are not engineered out, the helicopter tachometer is
appropriately marked; and this resonance range must be avoided.
Ground Resonance
This may develop in helicopters having a fully Articulated Rotor System when a series of shocks
cause the rotor blades in the system to become positioned in unbalanced displacement. If this
oscillating condition is allowed to progress, it can be self-energizing and extremely dangerous;
and it usually results in structural failure.
Ground resonance happens in helicopters with lead-lag hinges. It occurs only on the ground. It
starts when the blades "bunch up" on one side of the rotor disc where they generate an
unbalanced centrifugal force that gets in phase with the natural frequency of the aircraft rocking
on its landing gear. Modern helicopters avoid this by using dampers on the blades and on the gear
(shock absorbed struts). It is less prominent on wheeled helicopters although can occur. The
emergency action is to lift the aircraft to a hover.
Ground resonance has not been "solved", and is still a big concern for anyone who flies a
helicopter with a fully-articulated rotor system. It basically is an out-of-balance condition in the
rotor system of a helicopter on the ground that rapidly increases in frequency until the helicopter
shakes itself apart. It is usually caused by a hard ground contact, and is much more likely in
aircraft with improperly maintained landing gear (deflated oleo struts, for example).
It cannot occur in a two bladed semi-rigid see-saw type rotor system, because the blades do not
lead and lag.
If on take-off or landing, one wheel strikes the ground first, a shock is transmitted through the
fuselage to the rotor which may jolt the blades out angular balance as shown in the diagram. This
is possible since the blades are mounted on a drag hinge and is especially prevalent on helicopters
with defective drag dampers.
The unbalanced blades will produce an off-centre C of G which will cause a rotation of the
fuselage towards the opposite wheel as the rotor rotates, which will hit the ground with even more
force than before. The resulting oscillation from wheel to wheel is of a frequency equal to the
rotational speed of the rotor.
Helicopters with skid-type landing gear are not as prone to ground resonance as one equipped
with wheel-type gear. The flexibility of an air-filled tyre tends to amplify and increase the
oscillation, as does the air-oil (oleo) landing gear struts normally associated with wheel-type
landing gear. Improper servicing or poor condition of the tires, struts, as well as the lead-lag
dampeners all contribute to the tendency to experience ground resonance.
Various methods can be used to break the oscillation and these include;
• If rotor RPM is in the normal range, take off to hover. A change in rotor RPM may also aid in
breaking the oscillation.
• If rotor RPM is below the normal operating range, shut down the engine and use the rotor
break if fitted.
If the aircraft is not in contact with the ground there can be no “ground resonance.
Conditions contributing to ground resonance.
1. Rotor run up - numerous frequencies are excited as the rotor system is run up, therefore it
is desired to traverse these as rapidly as possible and operate at an RPM not associated with
any airframe natural frequency.
2. Light/Hard Landing - the designed damping from oleo struts and tire inflation is negated.
3. Bouncing on Landing Gear - sets up an undesirable vibration.
4. Running Landing over rough surface - sets up an undesirable vibration.
5. Shipboard Inertial Motion - sets up pitching/rolling oscillations.
6. Cargo excitation due to vehicle tires bouncing, loose cargo tie downs etc.
7. Rotor blade flapping causes some mass imbalance.
Maintenance Factors contributing to ground resonance.

1. Improper landing gear servicing-tire inflation, oleo struts cannot provide the designed
damping
2. Improper lead-lag damper servicing-blades cannot sort themselves out if upset to an out of
alignment condition.
3. Improper tie down procedures-secure aircraft with a tie down on the stub wing above the
oleo strut thereby compressing it and not allowing free travel for designed damping during
startup.
4. Defective AFCS black boxes- provide erroneous flight control inputs.
Ground resonance is a destructive phenomenon particular to hingeless rotor systems
operating near the San Andreas fault.____________ (True/False)
A ______________ frequency vibration is caused by ______________

a. high ... loose aircraft components - medium
b. medium ... the tail rotor
c. medium ... the drive shaft
d. low ... the main rotor
A destructive vibration occurring in the rotor system when the aircraft is in contact with the
ground is
a. blade flapping
b. ground effect
c. geometric imbalance
d. ground resonance
Excessive lateral one to one vibrations are caused by _______________________

a. A loose aircraft component
b. A tail rotor malfunction
c. An engine malfunction
d. An imbalance in the main rotor

Resonance

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RESONANCE

Conditions contributing to ground resonance.

Maintenance Factors contributing to ground resonance.

A frequency vibration is caused by

Excessive lateral one to one vibrations are caused by _______________________

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