Torsional Vibration Analysis
Torsional Vibration Analysis
Torsional Vibration Analysis
Beta Machinery Analysis (Beta) is the global industry leader in performing TVA studies. Customers trust Beta, as our expertise helps
minimize risk and improve system reliability, which saves them money. Our strength is based on our independent assessment,
comprehensive technical review, superior software tools, experience, and field service capabilities. TVA is one of our core services.
Torsional Failures:
Excessive torsional vibration and resonance leads to very expensive failures such as damaged shafting,
couplings, gears, auxiliary equipment, and more. Repair costs to such equipment can easily exceed
$1,000,000 in parts, labor, and downtime.
Machinery systems continue to increase in speed and horsepower leading to higher torsional
excitation. Preventing failures caused by this requires adequate analysis over the equipments intended
range of operating conditions.
Motor failure
Shaft fracture
Coupling destroyed
Applications:
A TVA is ideal for these applications:
Beta Advantages:
1.
Comprehensive evaluation of the entire range of operating conditions not just the assumed "worst case." This improves system
reliability and avoids the chance of design errors
2.
Betas tolerance band analysis improves technical accuracy. This technology evaluates the risk and design impact due to the
tolerances of key input parameters. Betas approach reduces the risk of failures and avoids unnecessarily expensive torsional
solutions
3.
Beta has an extensive database of engine, motor, compressor and coupling information resulting in faster and more accurate
analysis
4.
Our system approach focuses on the entire package including engine, driver, coupling, etc. This approach is more comprehensive
and accurate compared to services focused primarily on the engine (or compressor)
5.
Beta Machinery
Analysis
Torsional analysis is a core in-house service for fast, efficient and high quality analysis
Dedicated team of torsional analysts with the ability to support your projects
Input risk tolerance bands analyzed to reduce overall risk of vibration/failure and avoid excessive design costs
Large database for all standard engines, motors, couplings, and compressors
Expert field staff to perform field studies, troubleshooting, and start-up checks
Integrated design approach that coordinates torsional recommendations with other key reciprocating design
studies (pulsation, mechanical, thermal, structural or performance analysis) to make informed decisions
About Beta:
What started out as a small company in Calgary, Alberta, in 1967, has developed into one of the worlds premier machinery engineering
firms, solving challenging vibration, pulsation, and torsional problems. Our extensive storehouse of experience and software technology
enables us to effectively help our customers minimize downtime, increase reliability, and save money by keeping their equipment
running smoothly. We invite you to visit our web site at www.BetaMachinery.com or contact our torsional team at +1-403-245-5666, or
800-561-2382.
Example of Torsional Modeling Capability for Design Studies (Motor Rotor Core with Spider Bars and Fan)
Eliminates downtime and repair costs due to excessive torsional vibration. Avoid million dollar failures.
Reduces the capital costs for packages with overly conservative designs. If large flywheels, soft couplings, or other
components can be eliminated, this can save significant construction and maintenance capital.
3. What software does Beta use?
Torsional response is modeled using a combination of proprietary software developed by Beta and ANSYS, the leading commercially
available Finite Element Analysis (FEA) program. Beta draws upon a vast population of previously analyzed pumps, compressors,
couplings, engines, motors, and more. These data are built into a database allowing Beta analysts to build models quickly and
efficiently. The proprietary component has been developed through consultation with leading OEMs and through ongoing comparisons
between field data and model results.
4. Should we do a field survey to measure torsional vibration?
A field torsional review is recommended for situations such as:
VFD applications excitation from the VFD controller has proven to be critical in some cases
when designers need to make compromises due to constraints in time, economics, or available information
Compressor: 32 conditions (min/avg/max for suction and discharge pressures and cylinder clearance plus upset single acting
per cylinder and bypass or unloaded conditions)
Engine: at least 5 conditions (normal, 2 worn damper, and at least 2 misfire conditions)
Analyzing the conditions represents a significant challenge for the packager and end user. What condition represents the worst case for
torsional vibration? What condition(s) should be evaluated?
Arbitrarily picking 4 or 5 conditions and paying extra for additional conditions is not cost-effective in most cases.
Asking a packager or OEM to choose conditions is unreasonable, as they are not experts in this area.
For many packages, it is nearly impossible to identify the worst conditions in advance, because each combination of
compressor, coupling, and driver responds at different twisting frequencies. Only when the drive train geometry has been
modeled and torsional natural frequencies and vibration mode shapes calculated, can the worst conditions be identified.
These are often the conditions that have the highest torque near the torsional natural frequencies. However, other nonresonant conditions that have high overall total torque can also be rough torsionally (for example, an unloaded two throw
compressor).
This creates a reliability risk for potential failure now, or in the future, as conditions change and affect the torsional
vibration.
Because of these factors, Beta has developed advanced software tools to take the guesswork out of evaluating a wide range of
operating conditions. Packagers and end users no longer need to worry about gambling on what the worst case conditions are. We will
input the data and assess the torsional vibration levels on the entire system (i.e., compressor, coupling, driver, and auxiliary
equipment). The software can process all operating conditions in a single run, saving considerable time and cost.
In the example we are using, note that conditions 11, 12, 39 and 60 are the worst cases for different locations in the drive train. This
illustrates that all conditions should be evaluated in torsional design.
Beta: Torsional Vibration Analysis (TVA) - Example of Operating Condition Summary
Worst Cases Highlighted Below (note: problems may be based on Safety Factors, Speed Fluctuation, and/or Stress)
All 64 conditions modeled using Beta's proprietary software system
Operating
Condition#
1
2
1.2
1.2
-ve
+ve
-ve
+ve
1.6
1.5
-25.4
-32.0
34.0
28.0
-18.8
-19.0
16.5
16.4
6,029
6,054
3,104
3,094
0.5
0.5
1.5
1.5
-32.9
-33.8
28.7
29.6
-19.6
-20.1
17.0
17.8
6,236
6,450
3,200
3,344
0.5
0.5
1.5
1.5
-32.8
-33.7
28.6
29.5
-19.6
-20.1
17.0
17.8
6,236
6,451
3,203
3,347
0.5
0.5
1.6
1.5
1.6
1.6
1.5
2.4
-29.7
-29.5
-30.4
-29.5
-32.0
-18.8
29.8
28.2
26.3
28.4
30.4
19.3
-20.5
-19.0
-19.9
-18.3
-19.0
-9.0
14.6
15.6
16.3
17.4
15.6
9.9
6,013
6,176
5,925
5,989
6,169
3,948
2,954
2,954
3,010
3,010
3,010
2,654
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
2
11
12
2.6
2.6
1.1
1.1
38
39
2.6
2.6
1.1
1.1
59
60
61
62
63
64
SUMMARY
Worst Condition #
Worst Case
Other Notes:
Worst Speed *
Worst Phase Diff **
Worst Location ***
2.7
2.8
3.0
2.8
2.9
3.2
1.2
1.1
1.3
1.2
1.2
2.0
11
60
2.6
1.1
(case: min safety factors)
1,000
240
16
992
120
17
899
120
25
39
1.5
12
39
-33.8
29.6
-20.1
17.8
(case: max speed fluctuations)
1,000
120
1
1,000
0
29
39
39
6,451
3,347
(case: max stress)
899
120
25
0.5
1,000
0
24
Definitions:
* Speed = speed at which the worst case occurs (RPM)
** Phase diff = phase difference (between compressor cylinder 1 outer dead centre and engine cylinder 1 top dead centre) at which worst case occurs (degrees)
*** Location = location in torsional model at which worst case occurs
ODE = opposite drive end
For more information, call our torsional team at 403-245-5666, or 800-561-2382, or visit our web site at www.BetaMachinery.com.