The effect of the geometry and the load level on the dynamic failure of rotating disks

The simplified and the higher order curved beam theory published previously (International Journal of Solids and Structures 30(1), 137-149 (1993) and International Journal of Solids and Structures 31(14), 1949- 1965 (1994)) a re applied to rotating disks with rectangular cross section subject to an i nstantaneous radial failure. The dependence of the angular size of the debr is on the inner to outer radius ratio and on the load level is examined and compared with semi-empirical and experimental results in the literature. F inite element calculations cofirm the results obtained with the higher orde r beam theory for moderate to high inner to outer radius ratios. It is show n that agreement with the experimental results can be further improved by a proper choice of the boundary conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. A il rights reserved.