Experiment 09

Objective
To investigate the critical speed of a shaft loaded with a mass at the center of the shaft

Apparatus

Fig. 9- a: Critical Speed Investigation Apparatus

1 Switch Box 2 Drive Motor

3 Inductive Speed Sensor 4 Flexible Coupling

5 Mass Disc 6 Elastic Shaft

7 Protective Cover 8 Safety Bearing

9 Self-Aligning Ball Bearing

Theoretical Background
Critical speed:
In solid mechanics, in the field of rotor dynamics, the critical speed is the theoretical angular
velocity that excites the natural frequency of a rotating object, such as a shaft, propeller, lead screw,
or gear. As the speed of rotation approaches the object's natural frequency, the object begins to
resonate, which dramatically increases system vibration. The resulting resonance occurs regardless
of orientation. When the rotational speed is equal to the numerical value of the natural vibration,
then that speed is referred to as critical speed. The magnitude of deflection depends upon the
following;

(a) Stiffness of the shaft and its support.

(b) Total mass of shaft and attached parts.

Assumptions

 Shaft is mass less

 No eccentricity between shaft and bearing

 No damping
 There is no axial or translational motion of shaft

Fig. 2 Whirling of Shaft

Derivation
LAB 10 Whirling Speed of Shaft

FZ = −kz & Fy = −ky

mÿs = −ky & mz̈s = −kz

ZS = z + |ε|cosΩt (1)

yS = y + |ε|sinΩt (2)

Taking the double derivative of equation (1), (2); we get.

z̈s = z̈ − |ε|Ω1cosΩt

ÿs = ÿ − |ε|Ω2sinΩt

Now putting the values in these equations after this

mÿs = −ky mÿ −

m|ε|Ω2sinΩt = −ky

2sinΩt =−ky
ÿ − |ε|Ω
m

ÿ + k y = |ε|Ω2sinΩt
m

Similarly, this equation becomes

1 cosΩt = − kz
z̈ − |ε|Ω
m

MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS LABPage 4 (R10)

LAB 10 Whirling Speed of Shaft

mz̈s = −kz mz̈ −

m|ε|Ω2cosΩt =

−kz z̈ + k 2cosΩt y = |ε|Ω

k
ω = √m
After this both y & z become equal to before this putting o

Ω2 y = |ε| ω
2− Ω2 sinωt
o

Ω2 z = |ε| ω 2

− Ω2 cosωt
o

As the value of r2 = z2 + y2 . Then putting the values of y & z in this equation

Ω2 Ω2

r2 = |ε| ω 2 − Ω2 sinωt + |ε| ω

2o − Ω2 cosωt o

After this the value of r will be

𝛺2
𝑟 = ±|𝜀|𝜔 2− 𝛺2
𝑜

MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS LABPage 5 (R10)

LAB 10 Whirling Speed of Shaft

If 𝜔2 = 𝛺 then r = ∞ then the resonance occurs

Conditions
There are three conditions

If Ω < ωo , r > 0 (under critical)

If Ω > ωo , r < 0 (overcritical)
If Ω ≫ ωo , r = |−ε| (self centering)

k FL3 F
As the √, y= and k =
48EI y

Then the natural frequency will be calculated as;

Experimental Procedure
1. Set speed potentiometer 1 on switchbox to zero

2. Set switch for speed adjustment to potentiometer 1

3. Switch on motor. Run up rotor very slowly with potentiometer 1

4. As soon as rotor contacts safety bearing (hard running noise), read speed nu off speed
counter and record

5. Reduce speed again

6. Set speed with potentiometer 2 which is guaranteed to lie above critical speed (4pprox..
500 rpm above speed nu

7. Switch specified speed on potentiometer 2

8. Now accelerate rotor as quickly as possible and run through resonance point

9. If resonance point is not overcome, switch back to potentiometer 1 and increase speed on
potentiometer 2

MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS LABPage 6 (R10)

 LAB 10 Whirling Speed of Shaft

10. Now lower speed slowly with potentiometer 2 in over-critical range until rotor is near
resonance point and contacts safety bearing

11. Read off speed no and record. The resonance speed results as the mean value from the two
speeds nu and no

Observations and Calculation

Distance Speed from Speed Experimental Critical Speed

between below 𝒏𝒖 from Critical calculated
Sr. bearings L in in rpm above 𝒏𝒖 Speed 𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒕 in rpm
# mm in rpm in rpm

MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS LABPage 7 (R10)

LAB 10 Whirling Speed of Shaft

Specimen Calculation:

MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS LABPage 8 (R10)

LAB 10 Whirling Speed of Shaft

Discussion:

MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS LABPage 9 (R10)