Random vibration of a rotating blade with external and internal damping by the finite element method

The finite element model is employed to investigate the mean-square response of a rotating blade with external and internal damping under stationary or non-stationary random excitation. The blade is considered to be subjected to white-noise and earthquake excitations. The effects of rotational speed, external and internal damping on the mean-square response are studied. It is found that the mean-square response decreases quickly when the external and internal damping increases within some scope. Moreover, the increment of rotational speed will reduce the mean-square response of a rotating blade. It is also found that the mean-square response decreases when the low natural frequency of base decreases. Inversely, the mean-square response increases when the high natural frequency of base (natural frequencies of base are over the first natural frequency of blade) decreases. The reliability of a rotating blade subjected to stationary or non-stationary excitations is also obtained. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.