The impact of non-linear stretching on the dynamic stability of a uniformly loaded, thin, warped, rotating, circular disk

Abstract

This article analyzes the dynamic stability of pre-warped, rotating circular disks. Simulation is used to determine asymmetric equilibria and corresponding stability maps for varying load and disk rotation. Experimental results corroborated the presence of a rotating, asymmetric equilibrium for low speeds. At higher speeds, aerodynamically excited vibration made it impossible to identify steady equilibria. However, the nature of the aerodynamic excitation and its onset were dramatically affected by the presence of uniform loading on the disk. In addition, at high rotation speeds, the disk appears to have a steady equilibrium rotation at one quarter of the rotation speed of the disk.