The lateral rotordynamic response of turbomachinery is typically speed dependent due to hydrodynamic lubricated bearings, seals, gyroscopic and centrifugal effects, etc. Rotordynamic tools are used to predict the behavior of the machine during operation, however validating these results is challenging. Traditional experimental modal testing techniques rely on controlled and measured excitation together with measured responses. However, during operation this is unpractical, as the actual excitation force is rarely known. Operational modal analysis (OMA) can identify the modal parameters of a system over its entire operational range from measurement of response due to some (unknown) excitation. OMA has proven successful on non-rotating structures, but has seldom been applied to rotating machinery. Three case studies are presented demonstrating the use of OMA in identifying lateral rotors modes based on measurements from existing radial proximity probes during normal production undertaken as part of commissioning campaigns. Challenges encountered in using and interpreting OMA results are discussed. The results show that proximity probe data acquired during normal operation may be used as input to OMA for the assessment of stability margins of rotating machinery, to produce experimentally derived Campbell diagrams and to identify backwards as well as forwards whirling modes.
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