Response analysis of a dual-disc rotor system with multi-unbalances–multi-fixed-point rubbing faults

Rotor unbalance and rub-impact are major concerns in rotating machinery. In order to study the dynamic characteristics of these machinery faults, a dual-disc rotor system capable of describing the mechanical vibration resulting from multi-unbalances and multi-fixed-point rub-impact faults is formulated using Euler beam element. The Lankarani–Nikravesh model is used to describe the nonlinear impact forces between discs and casing convex points, and the Coulomb model is applied to simulate the frictional characteristics. To predict the moment of rub-impact happening, a linear interpolation method is carried out in the numerical simulation. The coupling equations are numerically solved using a combination of the linear interpolation method and the Runge–Kutta method. Then, the dynamic behaviours of the rotor system are analysed by the bifurcation diagram, whirl orbit, Poincare map and spectrum plot. The effects of rotating speed, phase difference of unbalances, convex point of casing and initial clearance on the responses are investigated in detail. The numerical results reveal that a variety of motion types are found, such as periodic, multi-periodic and quasi-periodic motions. Moreover, the energy transfer between the compressor disc and the turbine disc occurs in the multi-fixed-point rubbing faults. Compared with the parameters of the turbine disc, those of the compressor disc can affect the motion of the rotor system more significantly. That is, the responses exhibit simple 1T-periodic motion in the wide range of rotating speed under the conditions of sharp convex point and larger initial clearance. These forms of dynamic characteristics can be effectively used to diagnose the fixed-point rub-impact faults.