Can rotating shafts experience changes in deflection due to inertial effects?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on how the deflection of a rotating shaft is influenced by inertial effects, particularly in the context of applied forces and the shaft's rotational dynamics. Participants explore theoretical implications and practical considerations related to shaft deflection in both static and dynamic scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how deflection changes when a force is applied to a rotating shaft compared to a stationary one, suggesting that the rotation may influence the amount of deflection.
  • Another participant proposes that if a static force is applied in a fixed direction, the deflection would remain consistent in the horizontal plane, but if the force rotates with the shaft, the deflection would also rotate.
  • A participant seeks clarification on whether rotational inertia affects deflection, specifically asking if a rotating rod experiences less deflection than a stationary rod.
  • In response, another participant asserts that rotational inertia does not affect deflection, emphasizing that the primary concern should be on stress reversal fatigue in the shaft.
  • Additionally, one participant notes that in high-demand applications, such as jet engines, inertial effects must be considered, mentioning specific phenomena like whirl and inertial stiffening.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the impact of rotational inertia on deflection, with some arguing it has no effect while others suggest it may influence the behavior of the shaft under certain conditions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the extent of these effects.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific scenarios and applications, indicating that the discussion may depend on the definitions of terms like "deflection" and "rotational inertia." There is also a lack of consensus on the mathematical modeling of these effects.

Who May Find This Useful

Engineers and researchers interested in mechanical design, particularly in applications involving rotating shafts and dynamic loading conditions, may find this discussion relevant.

Spectre
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I am curious how the deflection of a shaft changes due to rotation. In the force diagram image the green arrows show the rotational fixture locations and the purple arrow show the location of the applied force. The second image shows the deflection during a static test. If the force is applied from a stationary position, how would the amount of deflection change due to the rotation of the shaft along is axial axis? Does a rotating shaft deflect less than a rotations shaft?
Shaft Force Diagram.jpg
Shaft Deflection.jpg
 
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If the static force were applied from a fixed direction, as with a pulley being loaded by the tension of a belt attached to another pulley then the deflection would remain in the horizontal plane between the two pulley shaft centerlines; on the other hand, if the force rotates about the shaft as if the the pulley had a weight attached at some point on it circumference then the deflection will rotate with the weight. Either way the amount of deflection will be same in both cases.
 
JBA,
This issue is a fixed direction force due to a belt running around a rod as you state in your first example. Just to clarify, rotational inertia would have no affect on decreasing the deflection of the rotating rod compared to the deflection on a stationary rod?
 
No it will not have any effect, the main effect will be full stress reversal fatigue on the shaft, so a fatigue life evaluation based upon the maximum bending stress would be in order as apart of the design.
 
Just for general interest :

In more demanding applications like jet engines inertial effects do have to be considered in design of the rotating components

The most common effects are :

Whirl .
Torsion wise instability .
Inertial stiffening .
Gyro deflection .
 
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