Nonlinear Dynamics of Rotating Structures and Helicopter Blades

Abstract

This work explores the effects of geometrical nonlinearities in the vibration analysis of rotating structures and helicopter blades. Structures are modelled via higher-order beam theories with variable kinematics. These theories fall in the domain of the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF), according to which the nonlinear equations of motion of rotating blades can be written in terms of fundamental nuclei, whose formalism is an invariant of the theory approximation. The inherent three-dimensional nature of CUF enables one to include all Green-Lagrange strain components as well as all coupling effects due to the geometrical features and the three-dimensional constitutive law. Numerical solutions are considered and opportunely discussed. Also, linearized and full nonlinear solutions for vibrating rotating blades are compared both in case of small amplitudes and in the large deflections/rotations regime.