Nonlinear vibrations of elastically-constrained rotating disks

An analysis of nonlinear vibrations of an elastically-constrained rotating disk is developed. The equations of motion, which are two coupled nonlinear partial differential equations corresponding to the transverse force equilibrium and to the deformation compatibility, are first developed by using von Karman thin plate theory. Then the stress function is analytically solved from the compatibility equation by assuming a multi-mode transverse displacement field. Galerkin's method is applied to transform the force equilibrium equation into a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations in terms of time functions. Finally, numerical integration is used to solve the time governing equations, and the effects of nonlinearity on the vibrations of a rotating disk are discussed.