Free flapewise vibration analysis of rotating double-tapered Timoshenko beams

Free vibration analysis of a rotating double-tapered Timoshenko beam undergoing flapwise transverse vibration is presented. Using an assumed mode method, the governing equations of motion are derived from the kinetic and potential energy expressions which are derived from a set of hybrid deformation variables. These equations of motion are then transformed into dimensionless forms using a set of dimensionless parameters, such as the hub radius ratio, the dimensionless angular speed ratio, the slenderness ratio, and the height and width taper ratios, etc. The natural frequencies and mode shapes are then determined from these dimensionless equations of motion. The effects of the dimensionless parameters on the natural frequencies and modal characteristics of a rotating double-tapered Timoshenko beam are numerically studied through numerical examples. The tuned angular speed of the rotating double-tapered Timoshenko beam is then investigated.