• von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics

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Introduction to Aeroelasticity 2026

VKI Course

Date: 16-20 February 2026

Location: online / on-site: Waterloosesteenweg, 72, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode, Belgium - near Brussels

 

 

About the course

Introduction to Aeroelasticity

This course serves as an introduction to aeroelasticity providing the theoretical basis and hands-on experience for applications to aircraft and rotor design and R&D projects. Starting with the description of the basic aeroelastic phenomena of interest, the course will familiarize the participants with concepts such as aeroelastic deformation, static divergence, control reversal, flutter and gust loads. Fast aeroelastic modelling techniques based on potential flow theory will be presented and some of them will be practiced. Current industrial practice in aircraft design will be presented, and future avenues will be discussed. Special emphasis is put on interaction with the participants and on practical exercises.

The lecturer is Professor Greg Dimitriadis of University of Liège, adjunct professor at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics.

Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis
University of Liège, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
Lecturer

Prof. Frank Eulitz, VKI, Belgium

Prof. Frank Eulitz
von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
Course Director

Programme

Monday 16 February 2026: Introduction to aeroelasticity

08:45 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 09:15 Welcome & Introduction
Prof. Frank Eulitz, VKI, Belgium

09:15 - 10:30 Introduction to Aeroelasticity 
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 - 12:30 Static aeroelasticity: static divergence, control reversal 
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 Dynamic aeroelasticity  
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

15:15 - 14:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Flutter: Fundamentals & quasi-steady aerodynamics   
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

17:00 Welcome reception

Tuesday 17 February 2026: Unsteady aerodynamics and gust loads

09:00 - 10:30 Practice session: Calculation of flutter airspeed and frequency
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 - 12:30 Practice session cont’d: Calculation of flutter airspeed and frequency
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 Unsteady aerodynamics
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Unsteady aerodynamics and gust load response
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

Wednesday 18 February 2026: Aircraft aeroelasticity in practice

09:00 - 10:30 Aircraft unsteady aerodynamic modelling: the Doublet Lattice Method
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 - 12:30 Aircraft unsteady aerodynamic modelling: the Source and Doublet Panel Method
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 Aircraft structural dynamic modelling and flutter prediction
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

15:15 - 17:00 VKI Lab tour and drinks reception
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

Thursday 19 February 2026: Aircraft aeroelasticity in practice

09:00 - 10:30 Practice session: Aeroelastic modelling of a finite wing in compressible flow
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 - 12:30 Practice session cont’d: Aeroelastic modelling of a finite wing in compressible flow
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:15 Transonic flow phenomena
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

15:15 - 15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 Transonic flow corrections
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

Friday 20 February 2026: Aeroelasticity of rotors: helicopters, propellers and wind turbines

09:00 - 10:30 Unsteady aerodynamic modelling of rotors – potential flow
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 - 12:30 Unsteady aerodynamic modelling of rotors – potential flow with viscous corrections
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:00 Conclusions and Q&A
Prof. Grigorios Dimitriadis, University of Liège, VKI, Belgium

15:00 End of the course

Fee and Registration

  • Deadline for on-site registration: 02 February 2026
  • Deadline for online registration: 09 February 2026
  • Discount of 10% in case of online participation*
  • Discount of 30% for citizens from NATO countries*

* applicable on the price listed below

Early Bird Registration until 16 January 2026

  • Undergraduate students: €315
  • PhD students: €864
  • Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1368
  • Staff from commercial organizations: €1728

Late Registration after 16 January 2026

  • Undergraduate students: €350
  • PhD students: €960
  • Staff from recognized universities / research center: €1520
  • Staff from commercial organizations: €1920