Second Order Averaging Study of an Autoparametric System

Abstract

Abstract The autoparametric vibratory system consisting of a primary spring-mass-dashpot system coupled with a damped simple pendulum serves as an useful example of two degree-of-freedom nonlinear systems that exhibit complex dynamic behavior. It exhibits 1:2 internal resonance and amplitude modulated chaos under harmonic forcing conditions. First-order averaging studies of this system using AUTO and KAOS have yielded useful information about the amplitude dynamics of this system. Response curves of the system indicate saturation and the pitchfork bifurcation sets are found to be symmetric. The period-doubling route to chaotic solutions is observed. However questions about the range of the small parameter ε (a function of the forcing amplitude) for which the solutions are valid cannot be answered by a first-order study. Some observed dynamical behavior, like saturation, may not persist when higher-order nonlinear effects are taken into account. Second-order averaging of the system, using Mathematica (Maeder, 1991; Wolfram, 1991) is undertaken to address these questions. Loss of saturation is observed in the steady-state amplitude responses. The breaking of symmetry in the various bifurcation sets becomes apparent as a consequence of ε appearing in the averaged equations. The dynamics of the system is found to be very sensitive to damping, with extremely complicated behavior arising for low values of damping. For large ε second-order averaging predicts additional Pitchfork and Hopf bifurcation points in the single-mode response.