Course Description
Torsional vibration — the twisting oscillation of rotating shafts — is a hidden and often overlooked failure mode that can cause catastrophic shaft, coupling, and gear failures. Unlike lateral vibration, torsional vibration is difficult to measure and requires specialised understanding.
This specialised course develops the knowledge to understand, measure, and diagnose torsional vibration problems. Participants learn torsional natural frequencies, sources of torsional excitation (especially in reciprocating and variable-speed drive systems), measurement techniques, and mitigation strategies for this challenging failure mode.
What you will achieve
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Explain torsional vibration and why it matters
- Distinguish torsional from lateral vibration
- Understand torsional natural frequencies and mode shapes
- Identify sources of torsional excitation
- Recognise torsional problems in reciprocating and VFD systems
- Understand torsional measurement techniques
- Diagnose torsional vibration problems
- Apply mitigation strategies
How the course is delivered
The course combines torsional vibration theory with diagnostic case studies, focusing on the systems most prone to torsional problems — reciprocating machinery and variable-speed drives. Real failure cases illustrate the principles.
The programme addresses a specialised failure mode that standard vibration training rarely covers in depth.
Designed for
This training course is ideal for:
- Senior vibration analysts and specialists
- Rotating equipment and reliability engineers
- Engineers with reciprocating or VFD-driven machinery
- Machinery diagnostic specialists
- Engineers investigating shaft and coupling failures
Daily programme
- What torsional vibration is
- Torsional versus lateral vibration
- Torsional natural frequencies and modes
- Why torsional failures are dangerous
- Sources of torsional excitation
- Reciprocating machinery torsionals
- Variable-speed drive torsionals
- Torsional measurement techniques
- Diagnosing torsional problems
- Torsional case studies
- Mitigation strategies
- 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.
