Dynamics of Flexible Rotor Systems with an Interim Mass Unbalanced Disk Using a Spectral Element Model

A frequency domain spectral element model is developed for a rotor system that consists of two spinning shafts and an interim disk or blade system. In this study, the shafts are represented by spinning Timoshenko beam models, and the interim disk system is represented by a uniform thick rigid disk with an unbalanced mass. In our derivation of the governing equations of motion of the disk system, the disk is considered to be wobbling about the geometric center of the disk at which the spinning shafts are attached. The high accuracy of the proposed spectral element model is evaluated by comparison with the natural frequencies obtained using the conventional finite element method (FEM). The spectral element model is then used to investigate the effects of the unbalanced mass on the natural frequencies and dynamic responses of an example rotor system.