Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.

in)

CHAPTER 5

GYROSCOPIC EFFECTS IN ROTORS

5.1 Synchronous motion
Figure 1 shows the motion of a disc when the disc is at the mid-span and away from it. For the latter
case the precession of the disc takes place along with the spinning, which leads to the gyroscopic
couple on the disc. The critical speed of a rotor system with disc having point mass and with
appreciable mass moment of inertia are not the same. This is due to the fact that centrifugal forces of
the particles of the disc do not lie in one plane and thus from a couple tending to straighten the shaft
as shown in Figure 5.2. We are considering the case of completely balanced rotor and whirling at its
critical speed in slightly deflected position. The angular whirl velocity v of the centre of the shaft is
assumed to be same as the angular velocity of rotation as of shaft (i.e. spin speed). This implies that
a particular point of the disc which is outside in Figure 5.2(b) will always be outside; the inside point
will always remains inside; it is called the synchronous motion. The shaft fibers in tension always
remain in tension while whirling, and similarly the compression fibers always remain in compression.
Thus any individual point of disc moves in a circle in a plane perpendicular to the undistorted centre
line of the shaft.

(a) When disc is at middle of the span,

it will whirl in its own plane

(b) When disc is at near the bearing,

it will not whirl in its own plane

Figure 5.1 Disc motion in rotor systems

(a)
(b)
Figure 5.2 Critical speeds of case (a) and case (b) are not equal, even if the shafts
are identical and the masses at the end are equal

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

r1

S, G

r dm
2

2 dm

2r1 dm

Figure 5.3 Frequency of whirl v is equal to frequency of spin (i.e. synchronous whirl)
Centrifugal force of a mass element dm is 2r1dm and is directed away from point B. Component in
vertical direction is 2dm and is directed vertical down (added together will give a force and no
moment.) and component in radial dir is 2rdm and is directed away from the disc from shaft center
or shaft centre S (components added together will give no force and only moment) (i.e. two force
vectors one when dm is assumed to be rotated about S and second force when S itself is rotating about
B). The force 2dm for various masses add together will give m2 (where m is the total mass of the
rotor) acting downward at S (since S and G are same).

2rdm 2ydm

2ydm

Shaft

y = rcos
Figure 5.4 Centrifugal force on a particle of the disc
The force 2rdm all radiate from the center of the disc S. The y-component of 2rdm is 2ydm and the
moment arm of this elemental force is y and x-component will balance themself. Thus the moment of
the centrifugal force a small particle dm is (2ydm y) and total moment M of centrifugal forces is

222

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

M = y dm = y dm = I d
2

(5.1)

where Id is the area moment of inertia of the disc about one of its diameter. Thus end of the shaft is
subjected to a force m2 and to a moment Id2 , under the influence of this it assumes a linear
deflection and an angular deflection . This can happen only at a certain speed i.e. critical speeds.
Thus the calculation of critical speed is reduced to a static problem, namely that of finding at which
value of a shaft will deflect and under the influence of P = m2 and M = 2Id.

P
EI
M
l
Figure 5.4 A cantilevered beam with loadings at free end
The linear angular displacement of the free end of the cantilevered beam as shown in Figure 5.4 will
be

) (

m 2 l 3 I d 2 l 2
Pl 3 Ml 2
=

3EI 2 EI
3EI
2 EI

) (

m 2 l 2 I d 2 l
Pl 2 Ml
=

2 EI EI
3EI
EI

(5.2)

(5.3)

Equations (5.2) & (5.3) can be rearranged as

3

l2
2 l
1 + I d 2
m
= 0
3EI
2 EI

(5.4)

2 l
1 + I d 2
+ 1 = 0
m
EI
EI
2

This homogeneous set of equations can have a solution for and only when the determinant
vanishes
3

l2
2 l
1 I d 2
m

3EI
2 EI

=0
2

2 l
2 l
+ 1
m
Id
2 EI
EI

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

which gives

4 + 2 12 EI3 ml I

mId l

Ml 3
EI

k =

Defining

D=

and

12 E 2 I 2
=0
mI d l 4

Id
ml 2

(5.5)

as the critical speed function.

as the disc effect

(5.6)

Equation (5.5) can be written as

k4 + k2

12

12

=0

(5.7)

With the solution

k2 = 6

2
2 12
6 +
D
D D

(5.8)

For which only + sign will give a positive value for k2 or a real value for k. Plot of k2 versus D is given
in Figure 5.5.

12
2ml 3
k =

EI

2 =

12ml3
EI

2 =
0

3ml 3
EI

1
D=

2
Id

ml 2

Figure 5.5 Variation of the critical speed function with the disc effect

224

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

Case I: For disc effect D = 0 (i.e. concentrated mass of the rotor) from equation (5.7), we have

Dk 4 + 4k 2 12 Dk 2 = 0
For D = 0 above equation gives

4k 2 12 = 0

k2 =

12
=3
4

Noting equation (5.6), we get

EI 2

=3
ml 3

2 =

3ml 3
EI

(5.9)

Equation (5.9) gives critical speed of a point-mass disc for the overhang case.
Case II: For D (i.e. a disc for which all mass is concentrated at a large radius) no finite angle is

possible, since it would require an infinite torque, which shaft cannot furnish. The disc remains
parallel to itself and the shaft is much stiffer than without the disc effect (i.e. D =0). From equation
(5.7) for D

k 2 ( k 2 12 ) = 0

since k 0 hence k 2 = 12

EI
= 12 or
ml 3

2 =

12ml 3
EI

(5. 10)

which is the critical speed for Id .

Case III: When the end disc of an overhang rotor is having considerable amount of length, as shown

in Figure 5.6, the couple of centrifugal forces for this case is such, it tries to push away from home
angularly as shown in Figure 5.7. For the thin disc case the couple of centrifugal forces tries it to urge
back home angularly.

Rigid mass attached at end

of cantilever beam.
Figure 5.6 A cantilevered rotor with a long stick at free end

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

2ydm

y
(2)

(1)
D
x

b
(x, y)

Figure 5.7 Centrifugal force in a cantilevered rotor with a long stick at free end
Here it is assumed that the centre of gravity G of the body is placed already in the axis of rotation x
(i.e. =0). So there is no total centrifugal force (m2) and only a moment. The force on a particle is
2ydm and its moment arm about G is x, so that the moment is

dM = 2xydm

(5.11)

and for the whole body

M = 2 xydm

(5.12)

For thin disc x = y (see equation (5.1) i.e. dM = 2ydm). 1 and 2 are principal axes. Let moment of
inertia about those axes be I1 and I2.This set of axes is at angle with respect to the x-y axes. The
product of inertia about x-y axes is

xydm =

I1 I 2
sin 2 ( I1 I 2 )
2

(5.13)

For thin disc I1 = 2Id and I2 = Id so that equations (5.13) and (5.12) gives M = 2 Id , which is same as
equation (5.1). For a disc of diameter D and thickness b, we have

I1 =

mD 2
8

and

I2 =

mD 2
16

mb 2
12

(5.14)

Substituting equations (13) and (14) into equation (12), we get

mD 2

M = 2 ( I1 I 2 ) =

16

226

mb 2 2

12

(5.15)

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

For moment of the centrifugal forces is to be zero, from equation (5.15), we have

mD 2 mb 2
=
12
16

or b = 0.87 D

and it becomes negative for b > 0.87D (i.e. thin stick) and it is positive for b < 0.87 D ( i.e. thick stick
or thin disc). Equation (5.15) can be written as:

M = I d 2

with

MD 2

Id =

16

Mb 2

12

(5.16)

So Figure similar to previous case will still be applicable and dotted portion will acquire meaning for
thin stick.

12

2ml 3/EI
6

3
Thin stick

-2

-1

2
D=

Id

ml 2

Figure 5.7 Variation of the critical speed function with the disc effect
Table 5.1 Gyroscopic effects for different geometries of the disc/stick

Relation between b and D

Sign of Id

Gyroscopic moment sign

b = 0.87 D

b > 0.87D (Thin stick)

Negative

Negative

b < 0.87 D (Thin disc)

Positive

Positive

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

For thin stick case it is assumed that the shaft extend to the centre of the cylinder without interference.
If shaft is attached to the end of the cylinder, the elastic-influence coefficients are modified. The
phenomenon described is generally referred to as a gyroscopic effect.

5.2 Asynchronous Motion (Rotational Motion only)

Now consider small rotor is suspended practically at its centre of gravity by three very flexible
torsional springs as shown in Figure 5.8.

Torsional
spring
Motor

Disc

Angular
momentum
vector Ip
O.

Motor

Disc

(a) Motor on torsional springs

(b) A rotor system with motor suspension

Time rate change of
angular momentum
Ip

dt

(c) A conical whirl of the rotor

Figure 5.8 A motor-rotor system supported on torsional springs
The following system have been used: is the Spin speed of disc, is the angular velocity of whirl of
the shaft centre line, Id is the Moment of inertia of stationary & rotating parts about an axis
perpendicular to paper, Ip is the Moment of inertia of rotating parts about shaft axis, K is the torsional
spring of shaft system. We want to calculate natural frequencies of modes of motion for which the

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

centre of gravity O remain at rest and the shaft whirls about O in a cone of angle 2. The disc on the
motor shaft rotates very fast, and as the springs on which the motor is mounted are flexible, the
whirling take place at a very slow rate than the shaft rotation. The angular momentum is given as
Angular momentum = Ip

(5.17)

In case whirl is in the same direction as rotation: The time rate of change of angular momentum will
be directed from B to C (i.e. out of the paper). This is equal to the moment exerted by the motor frame
on the disc. The reaction i.e. the moment acting on the motor is pointing into the paper and therefore
tends to make smaller. This acts in an addition to the existing spring K, so that it is seen that the
whirl in the direction of rotation makes the natural frequency higher. In the same manner it can be
reasoned that for whirl opposite to the direction of rotation the frequency is made lower by gyroscopic
effect. To calculate the magnitude of the gyroscopic effect, we have

d ( I p )
I p

BC BC AB
=
= dt
OB AB OB

which can be written as

d
( I p ) = I p
dt

(5.18)

which gives the gyroscopic moment. The elastic moment due to the springs K is equal to K and the
total moment is equal to
(K Ip)

(5.19)

where the positive sign for a whirl in the same sense as the rotation and negative sign for a whirl in
the opposite sense as the rotation. In equation (5.19), the term in the parenthesis is the equivalent
spring constant, the natural frequency will be (of the whirl i.e. = n)

n2 =

K n I p

(5.20)

Id

which can be written as

n2

I p
Id

K
=0
Id

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

the solution can be given as

2

I
K
p +
n =
2I d
Id
2I d

I p

(5.21)

The sign before the square root, only positive sign need to be retained since the negative sign gives
two values of n, which are both negative and equal and opposite to the two positive roots obtained
with positive sign before the square root. Let n be non-rotating shaft natural frequency or without
gyroscopic effect.

2.6

(n / n )
0

( I p / 2 KI d )

1.0

Figure 5.9 Natural frequency variation with the spin speed

From Figure 5.9 it is seen that the natural frequency is split into two frequencies on account of
gyroscopic effect (i) A slow one whereby the whirl is opposed to the rotation and (ii) A fast one where
the whirl and rotation directions are the same.

5.3 Asynchronous Motion (General motion)

In previous analysis of overhang rotor, it was whirling (the circular motion of the deflected shaft
centre line about its undeflected position with a small amplitude) and rotating at the same angular
speed and in the same direction. Cases have been observed where whirling and the rotation occur at
different frequencies and sometimes in opposite directions. Aim is to calculate the natural whirling
frequencies, , of a shaft with a single disc on it at any speed of rotation in most general manners as
shown in Figure 5.10, where is the shaft spin speed about deflected centerline and is the shaft
whirling frequency about undeformed position OA.

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

B
, y

Ip
Figure 5.10 An overhang rotor
Case I: = 0 with = 0
Shaft is not rotating about its deflected center line but deflected center line OC is rotating with 0
Case II: = 0 with = 0
Shaft will be in the deflected position and rotating with 0 about the deflected centerline OC.
Case III: =

The shaft fiber in tension will remain in tension and similarly shaft fiber in compression will remain
in compression i.e. synchronous whirl.
With this combined and motion, our aim is to obtain its angular momentum. If it does not whirl,
but only rotates, the angular momentum is equal to Ip (as shown in Figure 5.10) where Ip is discs
polar moment of inertia about the (deflected) shaft centerline.
For no rotation = 0, but only a whirl : The disc wobbles in space (about its diameter) and it is
difficult to visualize its angular speed. The visualization can be made easier by remarking that at C
shaft is always perpendicular to the disc always, so that we can study the motion of the shaft instead
of the disc. The line CA is tangent to the shaft at C. The piece ds of the shafting at disc moves with
line AC, describing a cone with A as an apex as shown in Figure 5.11. Speed of point C for a whirling
count clockwise seen from the right, is perpendicular to the paper into the paper and its value is y.

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

C/ at time dt
C

dt

(a) The pure whirling motion

A
Id

(b) The angular momentum

Figure 5.11 Pure whirling motion of the rotor
The line AC lies in the paper now, but at time dt later, point C is behind the paper by
CC/ = (y)dt

(5.22)

The angle between two positions of line AC then is

y
CC ydt
with =
=
AC
AC
AC

(5.23)

when is small, the angle of rotation of AC in time dt is equal to dt. Hence the angular speed of
AC (and of the disc) is equal to . The disc rotates about a diameter in the plane of the paper and
perpendicular to AC at C, so that the appropriate moment of inertia is Id (= Ip for thin disc.). The
angular momentum vector of the disc due to whirl is Id and is shown in Figure 5.11(b). The total
angular momentum is the vector sum of Ip and Id.

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

B
Id

OA
Parallel to OA

Ip
Figure 5.12 Angular momentum due to whirling and spinning of the rotor

Now we want to calculate the rate of change of this angular momentum vector, for that purpose we
resolve the vector into components and to OA (as shown in Figure 5.12) The component to
OA rotates to OA around the OA in a circle with radius y and keeps its length during the process so
that its rate of change is zero as shown in Figure 5.13.

( Ip + Id 2 )
Figure 5.13 Angular momentum components parallel to the shaft undeflected position
The component to OA is a vector along the direction BC (and it is the rotating radius of a circle
with center B) as shown in Figure 5.14.

B
O

dt
C
C
Id (2-)
Figure 5.14 Angular momentum components perpendicular to the shaft undeflected position
From Figure 5.14 angular momentum components will be:

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

I p I d cos = I d ( 2 )

(5.24)

and in the direction from B to C. At time t = 0 this vector lies in the plane of the paper; at time dt this
vector goes behind the paper at angle dt (see figure). The increment in the vector (directed to
paper and into it) is the length of the vector itself multiplied by dt, and is given as
Id (2-)dt

(5.25)

The rate change of angular momentum is

Id (2-)

(5.26)

By the main theorem of mechanics this is the moment exerted on the disc by the shaft (i.e. by action).
The reaction, the moment exerted by the disc on the shaft is the equal and opposite i.e. a vector
directed out of the paper and perpendicular to it at C. Beside this couple there is a centrifugal force
m2y acting on the disc as shown in Figure 5.15.

y
M = - Id (2-)
F = m 2 y

Figure 5.15 The inertia force and couple acting from the disc on the shaft caused by a shaft rotation,
, and a shaft whirling,
Influence coefficient of the shaft can be defined as: 11 is the deflection y at the disc from 1 N force;

12 is the angle at the disc from 1 N force or is the deflection y at the disc from1 N-m moment i.e.
21= 12 (by Maxwells theorem) and 22 is the angle at disc from 1N m moment. For cantilever
beam, we have

11 =

l3
l2
l
, 12 = 21 =
and 22 =
3EI
2 EI
EI

234

(5.27)

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

The linear and angular deflections can be expressed as

y = F11 + M 12

and = F12 + M 22

On substituting the force, F, and moment, M from Figure 5.15, we get

y = 11m 2 y + 12 I d ( 2 )
(5.28)

and = 12 m y + 22 I d ( 2 )
2

which can be rearranged as

[1 11m 2 ] y + [ I d 12 (2 )] = 0
and

[12 m 2 ] y + [1 + 22 I d (2 )] = 0

(5.29)

Equation (5.29) is a homogeneous equation in y and , on putting determinant equal to zero, we get

4 [m11 22 I d + m 122 I d ] + 3 [2m 11 22 I d 2m 122 I d ] + 2 [ 22 I d + m11 ] + [ 22 I d 2 ] = 0

(5.30)
Equation (5.30) contain seven system parameters: , , m, Id, 11, 12, and 22, which makes a good
understanding of the solution very difficult. It is worthwhile to diminish the number of parameters as
much as possible by dimensional analysis. Introducing four new variables:

F = 11m the dimensionless frequency ;

122
E=
the elastic coupling
11 22

and

D=

I d 22
m11

the disc effect

S = m11 the dimensionless speed.

(5.31)

With this new four variables equation (5.30) becomes

F 4 25F 3 +

D +1
25
1
F2
F
=0
D ( E 1)
E 1
D ( E 1)

235

(5.32)

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

Equation (5.32) is the fourth order polynomial in F, so for a given E, carrying a given disc d, and
rotating at certain speed S, there will be four natural frequencies of whirl.

Case I: For a point mass of the disc. i.e. Id = 0 or D = 0. Multiply equation (5.32) by D and substitute
D = 0, we get

D +1 2
1
F
=0
E 1
EI

since

11 = 1/ k

= 1

or

F 2 =1

or

F = 1

or

= 1 11m

(5.33)

in the usual natural notation, we have

m
k
=
k
m

the result is very familiar.

Case II: E = 0 (i.e. no elastic coupling) or a force causes a deflection only without rotation , while a

couple causes on rotation only without deflection y. This is the case of shaft with simple supports
with a disc in the mid-span point as shown in Figure 5.16.

(a)

(b)

Figure 5.16 A Jeffcott rotor (a) pure translation (b) pure rotational motions

Equation (5.32) reduces to

F 4 25F 3

D +1 2
1
F + 25 F + = 0
D
D

(5.34)

Equation (5.34) can be written as

( F + 1)( F 1) F 2 25F

1
=0
D

Equation (5.35) gives

236

(5.35)

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

F = 1 ; F = +1
and

F=

25 (25) 2 4
2

= S S2 +

1
D

(5.36)

Frequency F is plotted against the speed S for the numerical value D =1 as shown in Figure 5.17.

F
2

-1

S
-1
-2
-3
Figure 5.17 Whirl frequency versus spin speed variation
For S = 0 from the first and second solutions, we are getting
F=1

(parallel up and down motion frequency, without any tilting)

For S = 0 from the third solution

F=

1
since D = 1 hence F = 1
D
(processional motion; wobbling frequency without up & down motions)

The D is so chosen or dimensioned that the parallel up and down frequency is the same as the
wobbling frequency without up and down motion at no rotation i.e. S = 0 (see in Figure 5.17 spots
). Plot shows that the there are four natural frequencies reduce to two F = 1, which really is one

237

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

frequency only because F = +1 corresponding to counter clockwise whirl and F = -1 corresponding to

clockwise whirl.

Case III: Plot of the frequency equation (5.32) for the general case.

Taking a case of a disc on a cantilever shaft, for which

l 2

2
2 EI
E = 12 = 3
l
11 22 l

3EI EI

3
and taking again D = 1.
4

For E = and D = 1, equation (32) becomes

F 4 2SF 3 8 F 2 + 8SF + 4 = 0

(5.37)

Equation (5.37) is the fourth degree polynomial with four roots F = f (S). It can be solved in two ways
(i) Take a value of S and solve fourth degree equation in F or (ii) Take a value of F and solve a linear
equation in S i.e.

S=

F 4 8F 2 + 4
2 F 3 8F

(5.38)

For F = 1 we get S = 0.5 etc. and it will result in Figure 5.18. Plot can be obtain for other value of D &
E (i.e. other discs and other shafts). It is seen that for S = 0 there are only two natural frequencies F =

0.74 and F = 2.73 corresponding to 2-Dofs y & of a non-rotating disc. When the disc rotates all
four natural frequencies are different. The curves are symmetrical about the vertical F-axis, which
means that for +S and S the same F-values occur, in other word four natural frequencies remain same
for discs clockwise rotation or counter clockwise rotation. For = line: It intersects the curve at A.
At the point A there is a forward whirl at the same speed as the rotation. Previously a plot of these
intersection points A for various values of the disc effect D is plotted (with the assumption of
synchronous motion). This kind of disturbance is obviously excited by unbalance, for synchronous
whirl. It is a resonance phenomenon and the vibration amplitude at this critical is proportional to the
amount of unbalance.

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

=3

=
3
E
2
1

A
-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

-1

-2
C
-3

=-

-4
-5

Figure 5.18 Whirl frequency versus spin speed variation

In summary the single mass system with gyroscopic effects have been considered for the following
cases:
Case I:

Figure 5.19 Overhang rotors with (a) point mass (b) rigid disc and (c) long stick
For = i.e. synchronous whirl one critical speed has been obtained.
Case II:

Figure 5.20 A flexibly mounted motor carrying a rotor

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Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

It has two kinds of whirls: fast whirl (forward) in same sense as and slow whirl (backward) in
opposite sense as .
Case III:

Figure 5.21 An overhang rotor

Four whirl natural frequencies with two forward and two backward. One of the forward whirl is same
as for the case I. In Figure 5.18 B and C represent the backward whirl at the same speed as the spin
with opposite sense of rotation.

Example 5.1 Obtain transverse forward and backward synchronous critical speeds of a rotor system
as shown in Figure 5.22. Take the mass of the disc, m = 10 kg, the diametral mass moment of inertia,
Id = 0.02 kg-m2, the polar mass moment of inertia, Ip = 0.04 kg-m2. The disc is placed at 0.25 m from

the right support. The shaft is having diameter of 10 mm and total span length of 1 m. The shaft is
assumed to be massless. Take shaft Youngs modulus E = 2.1 1011 N/m2. Consider the gyroscopic
effects and take two plane motions. Use the influence coefficient method.
Influence coefficients are defined as:

l=a+b

y 11 12 F
=

21 22 M
with

Figure 5.22 A rotor system

11 = a 2b 2 / 3EIl ;

12 = ( 3a 2l 2a3 al 2 ) / 3EIl

21 = ab(b a ) / 3EIl ;

22 = ( 3al 3a 2 l 2 ) / 3EIl

Solution:

From equation (5.32), the frequency equation is given by

F 4 2 SF 3 +

D +1
2S
1
F2
F
=0
D ( E 1)
E 1
D ( E 1)

we have

D=

I d 22 0.02 1.4146 103

=
= 0.0249
10 1.137 104
m11

240

(A)

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

and

E=

122
(3.031 104 ) 2
=
= 0.5712
11 22 1.137 104 1.4146 103

On substituting values of D and E in equation (A), we get

F 4 2 SF 3 95.99 F 2 + 4.664SF + 93.658 = 0

(B)

For the forward whirl F = +S, hence from equation (B)

F 4 2 F 4 95.99 F 2 + 4.664 F 2 + 93.66 = 0

F 4 + 91.33F 2 93.66 = 0

which can be solved as

F2 =

91.33 91.332 + 4 93.66 91.33 93.36

=
F 2 = 92.35 and 1.015
2
2

Negative value is not a feasible solution, taking positive value only, we get

F = 1.0075 = crF 11m = crF 1.137 104 10

crF = 29.88 rad/sec

For the backward whirl, we have F = -S, hence from equation (B), we get
F 4 + 2 F 4 95.99 F 2 4.664 F 2 + 93.66 = 0

F 4 33.55 F 2 + 31.22 = 0

which can be solved as

F2 =

33.55 33.552 4 31.22 33.55 31.63

=
2
2

F 2 = 0.96 and 32.59 F = crB 11 m = 0.98 and 5.71

Hence two possible backward whirls are possible

241

Dr R Tiwari, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., IIT Guwahati, (rtiwari@iitg.ernet.in)

crB = 0.98 29.66 = 28.47 rad/s (B1) and 169.34 rad/s (B2).
Figure 5.23 shows the corresponding Campbell diagram (not to the scale).

B2=169.34 rad/s
F1=29.88 rad/s

B1=28.47 rad/s

Figure 5.23 Campbell diagram

Exercise 5.1 Obtain the forward and backward synchronous bending critical speed of a rotor as
shown in Figure 1. The rotor is assumed to be fixed supported at one end. Take mass of the disc m = 2
kg, polar mass moment of inertia Ip = 0.01 kg-m2 and diametral moment of inertia Id = 0.005 kg-m2.
The shaft is assumed to be massless and its length and diameter are 0.2 m and 0.1 m, respectively.
Take shaft Youngs modulus E = 2.1 1011 N/m2. Using the finite element method and considering
the mass of the shaft with material density = 7800 kg/m3 obtain first two forward and backward
synchronous bending critical speeds by drawing the Campbell diagram.
Figure 1
Shaft

Bearings

Disc

Figure E5.1

242