Chapter 19

TYPES OF RESONANCE
Two major classifications of resonance are found in most manufacturing and process
plants: static and dynamic. Both types exhibit a broad-based, high-amplitude frequency component when viewed in a fast Fourier transform (FFT),or frequencydomain, vibration signature. Unlike meshing or passing frequencies, the resonance
frequency component does not have modulations or sidebands. Instead, resonance is
displayed as a single, clearly defined peak, which represents a large quantity of
energy. Such a peak is illustrated in Figure 19.1.
The high-energy content results from the amplitude of the peak as well as the broad
area under the peak. This combination of high peak amplitude and area is typical of
most resonance problems. The damping system associated with a resonance frequency is indicated by the sharpness or width of the response curve, on,
when measured at the half-power point. R M A x is the maximum resonance and RM,l&
is the
half-power point for a typical resonance response curve.

To determine system damping, we must determine the maximum response. This is the
response at the resonant frequency as indicated by the maximum value of Rvelocityor
(RV)MAX (a dimensionless velocity response factor), which is defined by Q as shown in
the following equation:

where 5 is fraction of critical damping. The maximum dimensionless acceleration factor, (RJMAX, and dimensionless displacement factor, ( R J M M , responses are slightly
larger and can be calculated as:

202

Types of Resonance

203

v)

z
a
0

En

FREQUENCY

w n

Figure 19.1 Resonance response.

The damping in a system is indicated by the sharpness or width of the response curve
in the vicinity of a resonant frequency w., The width is designated as a frequency
increment, Am, measured at the half-power point where the value of R is equal to
RMm

Ji

. This also is illustrated in Figure 19.1. Where the values of 5 are less than 0.1,

the damping of the system can be approximated by:

STATICRESONANCE
Static resonance is a function of the natural frequency of nondynamic, or stationary,
machine components (e.g., casings and bearing support pedestals) and structural
members (i.e., beams, piping, etc.). When one or more of the natural frequencies of a
stationary structure is energized or excited, it resonates.
Because static resonance is a nondynamic phenomenon, it is generally not associated
with the primary running speed of any associated machinery. Rather, the source of
static resonance can be any energy source that coincides with the natural frequency of
any stationary component. For example, an I-beam support on a continuous annealing

Vibration Fundamentals

204

4
Natural Frequencies h

a
A

A
a

Figure 19.2 ljpical discrete naturalfrequency locations in structural members.

line may be energized by the running speed of a roll. However, it also can be made to
resonate by a bearing frequency, overhead crane, or other such energy source.
The resonant frequency depends on the mass, stiffness, and span of the excited member. In general terms, the natural frequency of a structural member is inversely proportional to its mass and stiffness. In other words, a large turbocompressors casing
will have a lower natural frequency than that of a small end-suction centrifugal pump.
Figure 19.2 illustrates a typical structural support system and the discrete natural frequency locations. Each of the arrows indicates a structural member or stationary
machine component having a unique natural frequency. Note that each time a structural span is broken or attached to another structure, the stiffness changes. As a result,
the natural frequency of that segment also changes.
While most stationary machine components move during normal operation, they are
not always resonant. Some degree of flexing or movement is common in stationary
machine-trains and structural members. The amount of movement depends on the
spring constant, or stiffness, of the member.

Types of Resonance

205

Representdive Range of Stiffness Values for

Complete Bearing Assemblies.

Representative Range of
Stiffness Values for Bearings
In Rigid Support Structures.

Rotor Support Stiffness (Log Scale)

Figure 19.3 Rotor support stiffness versus critical rotor speed.

DYNAMIC
RESONANCE
When the natural frequency of a rotating (i.e., dynamic) structure, such as a bearing or
a rotor assembly in a fan, is energized, the rotating machine element resonates. This
phenomenon is called dynamic resonance and the rotor speed at which it occurs is the
critical speed.
Figure 19.3 illustrates a typical critical speed, or dynamic resonance, plot. The graph
shows the relationship between rotor-support stiffness (X-axis) and rotor speed (Yaxis). Rotor-support stiffness depends on the geometry of the rotating element @e.,
shaft and rotor) and the bearing-support structure. These are the two dominant factors
that determine the response characteristics of the rotor assembly.
In most cases, running speed is the forcing function that excites the natural frequency
of the dynamic component. As a result, rotating equipment is designed to operate at
primary rotor speeds that do not coincide with the rotor assemblys natural frequencies. As with static components, dynamic machine components have one or more natural frequencies that can be excited by an energy source that coincides with, or is in
proximity to, that frequency.
High amplitudes of the rotors natural frequency are strictly speed dependent. If the
frequency of the energy source, in this case speed, changes to a value outside the resonant zone, the abnormal vibration disappears.

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Vibration Fundamentals

As with static resonance, the actual natural frequencies of dynamic members depend
on the mass, bearing span, shaft and bearing-support stiffness, freedom of movement,
and other factors that define the response characteristics of the rotor assembly (i.e.,
rotor dynamics) under various operating conditions.

In most cases, dynamic resonance appears at the fundamental running speed or one of
the harmonics of the excited rotating element. However, it also can occur at other frequencies. For example, a rotor assembly with a natural frequency of 1800 rpm cannot
operate at speeds between 1980 and 1620 rpm (A 10%) without the possibility of
exciting the rotors natural frequency.
Most low- to moderate-speed machinery is designed to operate below the first critical
speed of the rotor assembly. Higher speed machines may be designed to operate
between the first and second, or second and third, critical speeds of the rotor assembly. As these machines accelerate through the resonant zones or critical speeds, their
natural frequency is momentarily excited. As long as the ramp rate limits the duration
of excitation, this mode of operation is acceptable. However, care must be taken to
ensure that the transition time through the resonant zone is as short as possible.
Note that critical speed should not be confused with the mode shape of a rotating
shaft. Deflection of the shaft from its true centerline (i.e., mode shape) elevates the
vibration amplitude and generates dominant vibration frequencies at the rotors fundamental and harmonics of the running speed.
However, the amplitude of these frequency components tends to be much lower than
those caused by operating at a critical speed of the rotor assembly. Also, the excessive
vibration amplitude generated by operating at a critical speed disappears when the
speed is changed, but those caused by mode shape tend to remain through a much
wider speed range or may even be independent of speed.
Confirmation Analysis

In most cases, the occurrence of dynamic resonance can be quickly confirmed. When
monitoring phase and amplitude, resonance is indicated by a 180-degree phase shift
as the rotor passes through the resonant zone. Figure 19.4 illustrates a dynamic resonance at 500 rpm, which shows a dramatic amplitude increase in the frequencydomain display. Resonance is confirmed by the 180-degree phase shift in the timedomain plot. Note that the peak at 1200 rpm is not resonance. The absence of a phase
shift, coupled with the apparent modulations in the FTT, eliminates the possibility that
this peak is resonance related.
Common Confusions

Vibration analysts often confuse resonance with other failure modes. Many of the
common failure modes tend to create abnormally high vibration levels that appear to

wpes of Resonance

1200

600

207

1800

RPM
Figure 19.4 Dynamic resonance phase shif.

be related to a speed change. Therefore, analysts tend to m i s s the root cause of these
problems.
Dynamic resonance generates abnormal vibration profiles that tend to coincide with
the fundamental (lx) running speed or one or more of the harmonics. This often leads
the analyst to incorrectly diagnose the problem as imbalance or misalignment.