Course Description
Rotordynamics is the study of the dynamic behaviour of rotating machinery — critical speeds, mode shapes, whirl, and instabilities. Understanding rotordynamics is essential for diagnosing complex vibration problems on high-speed and critical machinery such as turbines, compressors, and pumps.
This advanced course develops the rotordynamic understanding needed to diagnose chronic and complex machinery problems. Participants learn natural frequencies and critical speeds, mode shapes, damping, fluid-film bearing dynamics, and rotor instabilities — the knowledge required when standard vibration analysis is not enough.
What you will achieve
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Explain rotordynamic fundamentals
- Understand natural frequencies and critical speeds
- Interpret mode shapes and Campbell diagrams
- Understand damping and its effect on rotor behaviour
- Explain fluid-film bearing dynamics
- Diagnose rotor instabilities (oil whirl, whip, rub)
- Apply rotordynamics to complex vibration diagnosis
- Interpret rotordynamic analysis results
How the course is delivered
The course combines rotordynamic theory with diagnostic application, using Campbell diagrams, mode shapes, and real machinery case studies. Complex vibration problems illustrate rotordynamic principles in practice.
The programme is aimed at experienced analysts advancing to specialist-level diagnosis of high-speed machinery.
Designed for
This training course is ideal for:
- Senior vibration analysts and specialists
- Rotating equipment and reliability engineers
- Machinery diagnostic engineers
- Turbomachinery specialists
- Engineers diagnosing complex vibration problems
Daily programme
- Introduction to rotordynamics
- Natural frequencies and critical speeds
- Rotor modelling basics
- Campbell diagrams
- Mode shapes
- Damping and stability
- Gyroscopic effects
- Response to unbalance
- Fluid-film bearing dynamics
- Oil whirl and oil whip
- Rotor rub and other instabilities
- Diagnosing instabilities
- Diagnosing complex machinery problems
- Interpreting rotordynamic analysis
- Turbomachinery case studies
- Workshop and review
Certification & accreditation
BII Certificate of Completion
BII Certificate of Completion Upon successful completion, participants receive a BII Development Institute Certificate of Completion with a unique reference code that is independently verifiable. Our certificates are recognised internationally and reflect successful completion of your chosen programme.
