The torsional vibrations of a rotor with a transverse crack are invest
igated. The crack is modelled by way of a local flexibility matrix whi
ch is calculated analytically and measured experimentally. Good agreem
ent between the two methods is obtained. The free vibration problem is
solved and the three first eigenvalues are plotted versus the crack l
ocation and depth. The finite element method is used for the solution
of any shaft system with a crack, using a modified stiffness matrix fo
r the cracked element.