Rigid–flexible coupling dynamic analysis on a mass attached to a rotating flexible rod

A rigid–flexible coupling dynamic analysis is presented where a mass is attached to a massless flexible rod which rotates about an axis. The rod is limited to small deformation so that the mass is constrained to move in the plane of rotation. A strongly nonlinear model of the system is established based on the couplings between the elastic deflections of the mass and rigid rotation, in which the mass deflection and rigid rotation are both treated as unknown variables. The additional inertia forces on the mass and coupling mechanism are elucidated in the system model. In the case of varied but prescribed rigid rotation, a set of time-varying differential equations governing mass motion is obtained. The trajectories of mass motion are examined for the spin-up and spin-down rotation. Under constant rigid rotation, a set of ordinary differential equations is further attained, and the issues with dynamic frequencies and critical angular velocity of the system are analyzed. The effects of the centrifugal, Coriolis and tangential inertia forces on the dynamic responses are discussed.