ICNPAA 2010: Mathematical Problems in
Engineering, Aerospace and Sciences

The present work is investigating the aero-elastic instability of a viscoelastic plates under compressive forces. The Bubnov-Galerkin method used to solve the governing equations. The quasi-steady aerodynamic loadings are determined using linear piston theory. The nonlinear integro-differential equation of the plate is transformed into a set of nonlinear algebraic equations through a Galerkin approach. The resulting system of the equations is analytically solved. The influence of elastic and viscoelastic properties and the compressive load characteristics of the plate material on the value of critical parameters are discussed.