Experimental Forced Response Analysis of Two-Degree-of-Freedom Piecewise-Linear Systems With a Gap
Abstract In this paper, an experimental forced response analysis for a two degree of freedom piecewise-linear oscillator is discussed. First, a mathematical model of the piecewise linear oscillator is presented. Second, the experimental setup developed for the forced response study is presented. The experimental setup is capable of investigating a two degree of freedom piecewise linear oscillator model. The piecewise linearity is achieved by attaching mechanical stops between two masses that move along common shafts. Forced response tests have been conducted, and the results are presented. Discussion of characteristics of the oscillators are provided based on frequency response, spectrogram, time histories, phase portraits, and Poincaré sections. Period doubling bifurcation has been observed when the excitation frequency changes from a frequency with multiple contacts between the masses to a frequency with single contact between the masses occurs.