Flutter instability in elastic structures

Abstract. Flutter instability caused by follower loads has become a reality after the invention of the "freely-rotating wheel device" by Bigoni and Noselli, of the "flutter machine", and of the device to generate Reut-type loads. Further research has proven that flutter instability, Hopf bifurcation, dissipation instabilities, and the Ziegler paradox are all possible in conservative systems, thus disproving an erroneous belief continuing since at least 50 years. Finally, a new type of flutter instability has been addressed, generated by the "fusion" of two structures which are separately stable, but become unstable when joined together. The analysis of instability involves here the treatment of a discontinuity in the curvature of a constraint.