How Do You Calculate the Rotation Speed and Stability of a Heavy Cylinder?

[Fowler_NottinghamUni]

Hi all,

I have a problem I need solving. I have a large cylinder about 60 metric tonnes in mass, with a force acting upon it that is 7500 metric tonnes. The force is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. If the cylinder is free to rotate and simply sitting on mountings then how do I work out how fast it will rotate? If the cylinder is fixed, i.e cannot rotate, how do I work out whether or not the cylinder will be moved off its mountings? Mountings are v shaped and are half the diameter of the cylinder.

I've found the moment of inertia for a solid cylinder but I'm unsure as to how to combine the perpendicular force with moment of inertia. Is this the right approach?

If anyone can shed any light on this then it will be greatly appreciated!

Gavin

 

[Astronuc]

See this reference for equations of rotationl and linear motion -
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/mi.html

and the definition of torque -
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/torq.html

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/torcon.html

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/torq2.html#tc

If one has a Force F applied perpendicular to a moment arm r, then the torque T = rF.