ABSTRACT
The discipline of rotordynamics is concerned with the free and forced response of structural systems that contain high-speed rotating assemblies. The concern here is with the dynamic characteristics of systems with rotor assemblies that spin nominally about their longitudinal axes. Examples of such systems, Fig. 1, include gas turbines, steam turbines, pumps, compressors, turbochargers, electric motors and generators, etc. A completely separate area of rotordynamics, not addressed here, is concerned with structural systems with rotor assemblies that spin nominally about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the rotor such as encountered with helicopter blades or propellers. The interest here focuses primarily on the displacement components (both translation and bending rotation) and associated forces and moments that are linked with motion of a shaft perpendicular to the shaft centerline.
