Asymmetric and chaotic responses of dry friction oscillators with different static and kinetic coefficients of friction

The responses of a simple harmonically excited dry friction oscillator are analysed in the case when the coefficients of static and kinetic coefficients of friction are different. One- and two-parameter bifurcation curves are determined at suitable parameters by continuation method and the largest Lyapunov exponents of the obtained solutions are estimated. It is shown that chaotic solutions can occur in broad parameter domains—even at realistic friction parameters—that are tightly enclosed by well-defined two-parameter bifurcation curves. The performed analysis also reveals that chaotic trajectories are bifurcating from special asymmetric solutions. To check the robustness of the qualitative results, characteristic bifurcation branches of two slightly modified oscillators are also determined: one with a higher harmonic in the excitation, and another one where Coulomb friction is exchanged by a corresponding LuGre friction model. The qualitative agreement of the diagrams supports the validity of the results.