Shaft Finite Elements for Rotor Dynamics Analysis

This paper presents efficient C⁰-compatible finite elements for the modelling of rotor-bearing systems. The proposed linearly tapered elements, which have a variable number of nodal points, are simple and attractive from a cost viewpoint. They include the effects of translational and rotatory inertia, gyroscopic moments, internal viscous and hysteretic damping, shear deformations, and mass eccentricity. Developed from the weak formulation associated with the differential equations governing the transverse dynamic behavior of rotors, these elements show a convergence pattern similar to the one obtained with conventional C¹-compatible shaft elements. Numerical examples are provided, which compare the proposed approach to the C¹-formulation or to previously published results.