On the Transient Analysis of Rotor-Bearing Systems

Abstract

The transient dynamic response of a flexible rotor in nonlinear supports has been investigated using time marching methods. Several marching techniques such as Newmark β, Wilson θ, and Houbolt have been utilized in this study of rotor-bearing dynamic systems, to examine the stability of the system, and the suitability of each technique for predicting the onset of instability. The given rotor system has been modeled both in space and time using the transfer matrix method and the Houbolt method. The transient orbital response data so obtained have been compared with those obtained by a finite element model. Differences in the order of 6 percent were found. A nonlinear representation of a finite bearing has been included in the transient matrix model and the stability characteristics of different rotor systems of varied complexity have been studied. The nonlinear results have been compared with earlier results obtained using linear bearing representations.