Case Studies of Forced Vibration Problems of a Rotor

The major problem in forced vibration response is resonance, where the frequencies of exciting forces coincide with the natural frequencies. Rotating machinery has different characteristics in resonance problems from general non-rotating structures. Therefore, the problems need be solved with this knowledge in mind, not only at the design stage, but also on-site. In the case of forced vibration, centrifugal forcing due to unbalance is a very typical example; however, various other external forces produced by different mechanisms may also become problematic and be experienced routinely. Examples include mechanically induced forces in gears, cross joints, and pulley belt systems; an electromagnetic force in a motor/generator; and rotating stall and impeller/blade interaction forces, which are induced by the fluid flow. Furthermore, torsional vibration is inevitable for rotating machinery and may become a large problem. In this chapter, these phenomena and appropriate countermeasures to implement are elucidated while referring to previously mentioned examples.