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In a misalignment situation (or as the result of an increasing radial load), the elliptical nature of rotor center
orbit transferred to the ‘Banana’ shape (because of nonlinear effects). In other words, as the orbit changes from
an elliptical shape to a ‘Banana’ shape, it could be an indication that components of higher frequency are
present.

Axial measurements could additionally indicate an impending excessive radial load, or a misalignment
problem in a turbomachine. A continuously-acting radial load (as the result of a misalignment or an
excessive machine/fluid radial load) on a rotor can cause reversal stress in rotor fibers. For a high-speed
continuously operating turbomachine, the number of stress reversal cycles may swiftly reach fatigue limit,
which can lead to rotor cracking and premature rotor failure.

COUPLING MISALIGNMENT FORCES

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VIBRATION MONITORING OF TURBOMACHINERY

Misalignment
Excessiv e misalignment of rotating elements driven through
flexible couplings is usually indicated by a large second order
vibration component (Figure 33) . Occasionally, large first order
vibrations are also observed. High axial vibration is another indication
that misalignment is likely. Shaft operating misalignment
is affected by relative thermal growth, static forces applied by
piping or condenser attachments , deterioration of support
grouting, etc . Vibration due to first order misalignment can be
differentiated from unbalance by recording vibration in relation
to speed . Unbalance vibration will increase with speed squared, while misalignment vibration "Will not change if resonances
are
not involved . For machines which cannot be conveniently shut
down , it is recommended that a record be made of the vibration
spectrum when the machine is first started up and in good alignment.
This can be used for later comparison to determine if the
alignment of the machine is still satisfactory.

Radial Rubs
Radial rubs between a rotor and close clearance stationary
components can cause damage to seals and blade tip s . Rubbing
is usually undesirable and sometimes catastrophic. The reported
characteristics of radial rub induced vibration include
fixed rotor subharmonics , subsynchronous vibration at a natural
frequency, supersynchronous vibration at a natural frequency,
time varying synchronous vibrations , and vibration at multiples
of running speed . Thus , it is difficult to make general statements
about radial rubs , and the symptoms of rubbing are influenced
by the materials in contact, the impedance to motion of the seal
when contacted, location of natural frequencies , etc . Radial rubs
of stainless steel rotors appear particularly damaging and are
known to cause rapid permanent rotor deformation . H igh performance
steam turbine s , on the other hand, are designed with
very tight labyrinth clearances and are almost expected to rub
mildly during the early stages of commissioning. These temporary
rubs can cause localized heating and a temporary bow in the
rotor, with associated high unbalance , particularly when the
rotor is running below its first critical speed. The symptoms of
this particular rub induced vibration are a slow time variation of
synchronous amplitude and phas e , and often a square like orbit
(Figure 34) .
Axial Rubs

Axial rubs between stationary and rotating components can

occur when relative axial motion between the two is sufficient
to eliminate operating clearance . This problem is known to
occur in large industrial gas turbines where the blades migrates
in their slots due to breakage or deterioration of the blade locking
mechanism (the problem has occurred in both compressor
and turbine sections) , and relaxation or creep of the vane or nozzle
under load at high temperature . The consequences can
range from progres sive gradual "machining" of the contacting
parts to catastrophic failure [ 19] .
There has been some limited success in detecting blade migration
as a result of change in vibration at the bearing mounted

vibration sensor. In one example , a two bearing industrial gas

turbine exhibited increasingly higher vibration measured by displacement
probes during startup [ 19] . Initially, the gas turbine
alarmed regularly and tripped occasionally. Inspection showed
that a significant number of compressor blades had moved
axially in the third stage , causing rubbing against the adjacent
diaphragm . The fact that simple alarm and trip limits on vibration
level have detected blade migration suggests that more critical
trend monitoring of vibration vector changes (accounting for
both amplitude and phase) should increase the detectability of
blade migration problems should they occur.

In real rotating machinery

installations the relationship between misalignment and
vibration is further confused by the fact that different
vibration characteristics have been observed in apparently
similar misalignment conditions.

Such misalignment introduces static and dynamic forces which can result in damage to, and failure of,
machinery components including bearings, seals, couplings and even shafts. Additional undesirable
effects such as excessive noise and increased power consumption [3] have also been reported.
It is impossible in practice to achieve perfect alignment between the driving and driven shahs and it is for
this reason that a flexible inter-connection is usually introduced with the aim of minimizing misalignment-
imposed lateral forces while ensuring efficient torque transmission.

For instance, the great debate as to why misalignment is commonly, but not always, accompanied by a
large twice running speed (2x) and/or running speed (IX) vibration component is still ongoing.
The non-linear characteristics of oil-film bearings have also been recognised as a major contributory
source of 2X vibration in the presence of misalignment preloads [12]. Dewell and Mitchell [S] observed
experimentally that vibrations occur at integer multiples of running speed when a disc-coupling is
misaligned. They also found that the 2X and 4X frequency components showed the greatest change as
misalignment increased.