EXP :2

Date: 20-08-
2021
DETERMINATION OF CRITICAL SPEED OF WHIRLING SHAFTS
Aim:
To determine the critical speed of whirling shaft for different end (boundary) conditions and
for different shafts.

Apparatus required: Digital Tachometer or Stroboscope, Vernier caliper

Description: This apparatus is to study the whirling phenomenon. The shaft may have any
type of end conditions i.e. one end fixed and other simply supported or both ends fixed
(simply supported is advisable).,
The apparatus consists of a frame to support its driving motor, end fixing blocks etc.
A special design is provided to clear out the effects of bearings of motor spindle from those of
resting shafts.

1. Kinematics coupling:
This coupling C is specially designed to eliminate the side effect of motor
spindle bearings on those of the rotating shafts.
2. Ball bearing fixing ends: (a and b)
These ends fix the shafts while it rotates with easy shaft replace system.
The fixing ends provide change of end fixing condition of the rotating shaft as per the
requirement.
Theory:
In actual practice, a rotating shaft carries different mountings and accessories in the
form of gears, pulleys, etc. When the gears or pulleys are put on the shaft, the centre of
gravity of the pulley of gear does not coincide with centre line of the bearings or withthe axis
of the shaft, when the shaft is stationary. This means that the centre of gravity of the pulley
or gear is at a certain distance from the axis of rotation and due to this, the shaft is subjected
to centrifugal force. This force will bent the shaft which will further increase the distance of
centre of gravity from the axis of rotation. This effect is cumulative and ultimately the shaft
fails. The bending of shaft not only depends upon that value of eccentricity (distance
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between centre of gravity of that pulley and the axis of rotation) but also depends upon the
speed at which the shaft rotates.

Whirling Speed:-
The speed, at which the shaft runs so that the additional deflection the shaft from the axis
of rotation becomes infinite, is known as critical or whirling speed.
Procedure:
1. Measure the diameter of the shaft.
2. Measure the length of the shaft.
3. Fix the given shaft in between two end-fixing blocks with a particular type of end
conditions (simply supported or fixed)
4. Start the motors and go to the maximum speed rapidly. Then slowly reduce the
speed and observe the critical speed (where one can observe a large amplitude
vibration of shaft)
5. Repeat the experiment for different boundary conditions and shafts.
Calculations:

Natural frequency fn = C cycles/ second

= Mass of the shaft per unit length.

Mass of the shaft per unit length =

Density of shaft Material = 7800 kg/m3

g - Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

E - Modulus of elasticity 200 GN/m2
I - Moment of inertia of shaft (m4)
m Mass of the shaft per unit length (kg / m)
L Shaft length (m)
C= 3.562 (1st Mode) when the end condition is fixed - fixed.
C= 2.45 (1st Mode), 9.80 (2nd Mode) when the end condition is fixed - simply supported
C= 1.57 (1st Mode), 6.28 (2nd Mode) when the end condition is simply - simply supported

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Observations:-
Condition- Fixed Fixed
Sl. Length of Dia. of Shaft Whirling Frequency Frequency %deviation
[(Fe-Ft)/Fe]100
No shaft (m) (mm) Speed (Theoretical) (Experimental)
1. 1 5 622 10.366 22.54 54.0106
2. 1 5 928 15.466 22.54 31.384
3. 1 5 1100 18.333 22.54 18.664

Condition Fixed Simply supported

Sl. Length of Dia. of Shaft Whirling Frequency Frequency %deviation
[(Fe-Ft)/Fe]100
No shaft (m) (mm) Speed (Theoretical) (Experimental)
1. 1 4 618 10.3 12.406 16.975
2. 1 4 527 8.7833 12.406 29.2011
3. 1 4 708 11.8 12.406 4.8847

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 Result:

As we can see that when there is more whirling speed there in more frequency in the
shaft in both the cases. Theoretical frequency is almost same for same wiriling speed ,
but the experimental frequency is nearly half of the fixed –fixed for fixed –simply
supported case.

Inference:
The %in deviation is more in when whirling speed is 662 in the fixed –fixed condition
where as less for 1100 whirling speed i.e 18.664
But in fixed- simply supported case % in deviation is more for 527 whiriling speed and
less for 708whirling speed

Signature:

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