Department of Mechanical Engineering

Gordon Kirk


Gordon Kirk


Professor

117 Randolph Hall
540-231-7478
540-231-9100- FAX

gokirk@vt.edu



Education Research
Teaching
Experience
Honors
Publications


Education

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering University of Virginia 1972
M.S. Mechanical Engineering University of Virginia 1969
B.S. Mechanical Engineering University of Virginia 1967

 

Research

  • CFD Analysis of Labyrinth Seals

  • Stability of Turbocharger Rotor Bearing System

  • Experimental Evaluation of Turbocharger Stability

  • Pre and Post Processing of Seal Analysis Evaluation

  • Morton Thermal Instability Design Analysis


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Teaching Activities

3504: DYNAMIC SYSTEMS - VIBRATIONS
Principles of dynamic system modeling with emphasis on second order mechanical systems. Harmonic and nonharmonic vibrations of single and multi-degree of freedom systems. Applications of computer simulation and analysis techniques in vibrations. Pre: MATH 2214, ME 3514. (3H,3C) II,III.


3514: SYSTEM DYNAMICS
Mathematical descriptions of physical systems' behavior including mechanical, electrical, thermal, and fluid systems and their combinations; system descriptions using state variable and transfer functions; analysis of system responses: convolution integral, frequency response, numerical simulations, and Laplace transform methods; systems concepts: input-output, causality, and analogies; general process descriptions including first-order, second-order, and time delayed. Pre: ESM 2304. (3H,3C) I,II.


4015-4016: ENGINEERING DESIGN AND PROJECT
Team oriented, open-ended, multi-disciplinary design projects focused on industrially relevant problems. A specific, complex engineering design problem is normally taken from problem definition to product realization and testing. Emphasis is placed on documenting and reporting technical work, idea generation and selection, application of design and analysis tools developed in previous courses, project management, selling technical ideas and working in teams. Pre: (4005, 3614, 3304), (3504 or 4504). 4015: (2H,1L,3C) 4016: (3H,3C) 4015: I; 4016: II.


ME 5504 Introduction to Rotor Dynamics

Theory and application of dynamics, vibrations, fluid mechanics, and tribology to the design of rotating machinery. Hydrodynamic bearing and seal analysis. Theory and application of field balancing. System critical speed, response, and stability. Industry standards. Application of computer analysis for optimum rotor design. (3H,3C).

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Experience

Professor Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA		 1991 - Present
Associate Professor Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA		 1985 - 1991
Supervisor of Rotor Dynamics Analysis Turbo Products Division
Ingersoll-Rand
 1975 - 1985
Senior Engineer with Promotion to Assistant Project Engineer Pratt & Whitney Aircraft
East Hartford, CT 		1972 - 1975
Research Engineer Research Labs for Engineering Services
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 		1971
Instructor Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 		1970

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Honors

  • Was asked to read the biography information for Mel Prohl as he received the Myklestad award from ASME at the 1999 Vibrations conference.
  • Invited as Keynote Speaker to King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia for a Workshop on Vibration in Rotating Machinery in May 2000.
  • Invited as a lecture and panel member for the International Conference on Diagnostics of Machinery held jointly in Nogoya (Meijo University) and Kobe(Kobe University), Japan - August 1-5, 2000
  • Invited as Keynote speaker for Institution of Mechanical Engineers Vibrations in Rotating Machinery International Conference, University of Nottingham, England - September 12-14 2000
  • Best Paper and Best Presentation Award for Keynote Paper, "Design Guidelines for Improved Rotating Machinery Stability." IMECHE, Vibrations in Rotating Machinery Conference, September 12-14, 2000
  • Invited lecture paper for Texas A&M Turbo machinery Symposium, September 2003
  • Guest Editor for ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics Special Edition ,dedicated to honor Jorgen W. Lund, October 2003
  • Elected to Fellow of ASME, February 2004
  • Invited paper for IUTAM Symposium, Emerging Trends in Rotor Dynamics, held at IIT Delhi, India, March 23-26, 2009

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Publications

Journal Papers

  • Kirk, R.G., A. Kornhauser, J. Sterling, and A. Alseed, "Turbocharger On-Engine Experimental Vibration Testing", ASME Journal of Vibration and Control, 16(3): 343-355, 2010
  • Kirk, R. G., A Kornhauser, J. Dterking, and A. Alsaeed, "Turbocharger On-Engine Experimental Vibration Testing", ASME Journal of Vibration Control(Online First) published on December 22, 2009.
  • Kirk, R.G., and Z. Guo,"Influence of Leak Path Friction on Labyrinth Seal Inlet Swirl," Tribology Transactions, 52(2), pp, 139-145 2009
  • Kirk, R.G., Alsaeed, A. Liptrap, J., Lindsey, C. Sutherland, D., Dillon, B., Saunders, E., Chappell, M., Nawshin, S., Christian, E., Ellis, A., Mondschein, B., Oliver, J., and Sterling, J., Experimental Test Results for Vibration of a high Speed Diesel Engine Turbocharger", Tribology Transactions, 51(4), pp. 422-427, 2008
  • Kirk, R.G., Alsaeed, A., A., and Gunter, E.J., "Stability Analysis of a High Speed Automotive Turbocharger", Tribology Transactions, 50(3), pp. 427-434, 2007.
  • Hirano, Toshio; Guo,Zenglin; Kirk, R.G., "Application of CFD Analysis for Rotating Machinery, Part 2: Labyrinth Seal Analysis", ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 127(4), pp. 820-826, October 2005.
  • Guo, Senglin; Hirano,Toshio; Kirk, R.G., "Application of CFD Analysis for Rotating Machinery, Part 1: Hydrodynamic, Hydrostatic Bearings and Squeeze Film Damper", ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 127(2), pp. 445-451, April 2005

  • Hirano, Toshio; Guo, Zenglin; Kirk, R. G., “Application of CFD Analysis for Rotating Machinery, Part 2: Labyrinth Seal Analysis”, ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 127(4) October, 2005, pp 820-826.

  • Quinn, D, *Mani, G., Kasarda, M., *Bash, T., Inman, D., Kirk, R. G., “Damage Detection of a Rotating Cracked Shaft Using an Active Magnetic Bearing as a Force Actuator – Analysis and Experimental Verification,” IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, December 2005, Vol 10, No. 6, pp.640-647.

Conference Papers

  • Kirk, R. Gordon, Ali, A. Alsaeed and Brian Mondschein, "Turbocharger Vibration Shows Nonlinear Jump," Thirteenth Conference on Nonlinear Vibrations , Dynamics, and Multi- body Systems, The Inn at Virginia Tech Skelton Conference Center, Blacksburg, VA, May 23-27, 2010.
  • Kirk, R. Gordon, Brian Mondschein, Ali A. Alsaeed, Daniel Gallimore, Andy Frank, Jakob Crouch, Matt Tiller, Tu Vo, Kyle Thrush and Robert Lloyd, "Influence of Turbocharger Bearing on Observed Linear and Nonlinear Vibration, " ASME/STLE IJTC2010-41021, San Francisco , October 17-20, 2010.
  • Kirk, R. Gordon, "Rotor Dynamics Research: Current Interests and Future Directions", invited paper for IUTAM 2009 Conference, IIT New Delhi, March 23-26, 2009. Proceedings will be published by Springer.
  • Kirk, R.G., John Sterling , William Sawyers, Mitchell Saville, T. Bradley McNiff, Lauren Wilvert, "Influence of Turbocharger Imbalance on Subsynchronous Vibration Amplitude," ASME/STLE IJTC 2009 15029, October 19-21, 2009.
  • Kirk, R.G., W.J. Papke, J.T. East, T. Mueller and A.S. Newman, "Development of a Bench Test Stand for High Speed Turbochargers," ASME/STLE International Joint Tribology Conference, paper IJTC2008-71260, Miami, FL, October 20-22, 2008.
  • Kasandra,M., Inman D., Quinn, D., Bash, T., Kirk, R., "Facilitating Smart Rotating Machinery Through the Application of Active Magnetic Bearing Technology",IMECHE 9th International Conference on Vibrations in Rotating Machinery, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK, September 8-10, 2008.
  • Kirk, R.G., and J., C., Nicholas, " Experimental Study of High Speed Turbocharger Dynamic Stability", IMechE, 9th International Conference on Vibrations in Rotating Machinery, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK, September 8-10, 2008.
  • Kirk, R.G., A. Kornhauser, J. Sterling, and A. Alsaeed, "Turbocharger On-Engine Experimental Vibration Testing, " 12th Conference on Nonlinear Vibrations, Dynamics and Multi- body Systems," Blacksburg, Va., June 1-5, 2008.
  • Kirk, R.G., and Z. Guo, "Influence of Leak Path Friction on Labyrinth Seal Inlet Swirl," STLE Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH, May 19-21, 2008.
  • Kirk, R. G., J. Sterling, Utara, G., Biggins, D. Hodge, S. Johnson, J. Dean, B. Mastropieri, L. Fernandez, R. Mehta, T., Miles, F. Chen, A. Johnson, H. Ko, A. Riggs, M. Price, and A. Cerni, "Diesel Engine Turboharger Rebuild adn Experimental Testing," ASME/STLE International Joint Tribology Conference, paper IJTC2007-44417, San Diego, CA, October 22-24, 2007
  • Kirk, R.G., A. Kornhauser, J. Sterling and A. Alsaeed, " High Speed Turbocharger Instability," ISCORMA-4 International Symposium on Stability Control of Rotating Machinery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 27-31, 2007.
  • Kirk, R.G., and Z. Guo, "Leak Path Geometry Influence on Labyrinth Seal Inlet Swirl Velocity Ratio," BHR 19th International Conference on Fluid Sealing, Poitiers, France, September 25-26, 2007.
  • Guo, Z. and R.G. Kir, " CFD Results of Inlet and Revers Pumping Flow for Common Labyrinth Steal Leak Path Geometries," ISCORMA-4 International Symposium on Stability Control of Rotating Machinery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 27-31, 2007.
  • Kirk, R.G., Alsaeed, A. Liptrap, Lindsey, C., Sutherland, D., Dillon, B., Saunders, E. and Sterling J., "Experimental Test Results for Vibration of a High Speed Diesel Engine Turbocharger," STLE Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, May7-10, 2007.
  • Kirk, R. G., Alsaeed, A., and Gunter , E.J., " Stability Analysis of a High Speed Automotive Turbocharger," STLE/ASME Conference San Antonio, TX, October 23-25, 2006.

  • *Mani, G., D. Quinn, M. Kasarda, D. Inman and G. Kirk, “Health Monitoring of Rotating Machinery Through External Forcing,“ ISCORMA3 International Symposium on Stability Control of Rotating Machinery, Cleveland State University, Sept 19-23, 2005.

  • Guo, Z. and R. G. Kirk, “CFD Evaluation of Turbomachinery Secondary Flow Leak Path and Labyrinth Seal Entry Swirl,” ISCORMA3 International Symposium on Stability Control of Rotating Machinery, Cleveland State University, Sept 19-23, 2005. 

  • Kirk, R.G. and Z. Guo, “Morton Effect Analysis — Theory, Program and Case Study,” ISCORMA3 International Symposium on Stability Control of Rotating Machinery, Cleveland State University, Sept 19-23, 2005. 

  • *Sabnavis, G. and R.G. Kirk, “Test Results of Pad Shaft Tracking Behavior for a Spherical Pivot Tilting Pad Journal Bearing,” ISCORMA3 International Symposium on Stability Control of Rotating Machinery, Cleveland State University, Sept 19-23, 2005. 

  • Kirk, R.G., E.J. Gunter and W.J. Chen, “Rotor Drop Transient Analysis of AMB Machinery,”  ASME DETC 2005, Sept 24 – 28, 2005.

  • *Mani, G., Quinn, D., Kasarda, M., Inman, D., and Kirk, R., “Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of Rotordynamic Systmes by Wavelet Analysis,”  ICME 2005 conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

  • Kasarda, M., *Mendoza, H., Kirk, R. G., Wicks, A., “An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of an Active Magnetic Damper on Reducing Subsynchronous Vibrations in Rotating Machinery,” GT2005-68593  ASME IGTI Turbo Expo 2005, Reno, NV, June 2005

  • Kasarda, M., Quinn, D., *Bash, T., Mani, G., Inman, D., Kirk, R. G., Sawicki, J., “Magnetic Bearings for Non-Destructive Health Monitoring of Rotating Machinery Supported in Conventional Bearings,”  DAMAS05 Conference, Gdansk, Poland, July 2005


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