The Effect of Inlet Spacing Deviations on the Flow-Induced Deflections of Flat Plates

An array of parallel flat plates is considered in which there are inlet deviations in the spacing. Analytic predictions are made of the effect of these deviations on the flow-induced deflections of the plates. It is shown that in the vicinity of Miller’s critical velocity, small deviations are sufficient to cause large deflections. Lesser deflections are predicted for lower flow rates.