Abstract
Systems with discontinuous dynamics can be found in diverse disciplines. Meshing gears with backlash, impact dampers, relative motion of components that exhibit stick-slip phenomena axe but a few examples from mechanical systems. These form a class of dynamical systems where the nonlinearity is so severe that analysis becomes formidable, especially when global behavior needs to be known. Only recently have researchers attempted to investigate such systems in terms of modern dynamical systems theory.
In this work, an impact oscillator with two-sided rigid constraints is used as a paradigm for studying the characteristics of discontinuous dynamical systems. The oscillator has zero stiffness and is subjected to harmonic excitation. The system is linear without impacts. However, the impacts introduce nonlinearity and dissipation (assuming inelastic impacts). A numerical algorithm is developed for studying the global dynamics of the system. A peculiar type of solution in which the trajectories in phase space from a certain set of initial conditions merge in finite time, making the dynamics non-invertible, is investigated. Also, the effect of “grazing,” a behavior common to constrained systems, on the dynamics of the system is studied.
Based on the experience gained in studying this system, the need for an efficient general-purpose numerical algorithm for solving discontinuous dynamical systems is motivated. Investigation of stress, vibration, wear, noise, etc. that are associated with impact phenomena can benefit greatly from such an algorithm.
Global dynamics of the two-dimensional dynamical systems of special type
