This　paper　focuses　on　the　equivalent　continuum　model　and　nonlinear　vibrations　of　a　rotating　circular　truss　antenna　subjected　to　the　thermal　excitation.　A　rotating　equivalent　continuum　cylindrical　shell　is　proposed　to　take　place　of　the　circular　truss　antenna　through　obtaining　the　static　and　kinematical　equivalence　between　the　beam　element　and　equivalent-plate　element.　The　nonlinear　governing　equations　of　the　rotating　equivalent　cylindrical　shell　are　derived　by　using　the　first-order　shear　deformation　theory,　von　Karman　nonlinear　strains-displacement　relation　and　Hamilton＇s　principle.　The　accuracy　of　this　model　is　verified　by　comparing　the　dimensionless　frequencies　obtained　by　the　present　method　with　those　in　open　literature.　The　influences　of　the　geometric　and　material　parameters　and　rotating　speed　on　the　first　two　dimensionless　natural　frequencies　are　investigated.　The　obtained　results　are　useful　for　improvement　in　the　design　and　optimization　of　the　material　parameters　and　geometry　sizes　of　the　rotating　circular　truss　antenna.　The　case　of　1:2　the　internal　resonance,　primary　parametric　resonance　and　1/2　subharmonic　resonance　of　the　rotating　equivalent　cylindrical　shell　is　considered　through　the　method　of　multiple　scales.　The　frequency-response　curves　are　obtained　to　study　the　nonlinear　vibrations　of　the　rotating　equivalent　cylindrical　shell.　The　periodic　and　chaotic　vibrations　can　be　found　for　the　rotating　equivalent　cylindrical　shell　subjected　to　the　thermal　excitation.　The　results　of　this　study　give　useful　information　to　avoid　the　internal　resonance　and　control　the　resonant　responses　of　the　rotating　circular　truss　antenna.　©　2020　Elsevier　Ltd