Two– and Multi–Degree–of–Freedom Systems

Introduction

This chapter considers the problem of vibro–impact dynamics of lumped systems represented by two and more degrees of freedom in the presence of single and two barriers. Of particular interest of these systems is the prediction of bifurcation and chaos manifested by the occurrence of period–doubling and saddle–node bifurcations. These systems are mainly used as vibro–impact vibration absorbers, spherical pendulums, and coupled pendulums. In the presence of weak nonlinearities these systems can experience internal resonance conditions, and possibly parametric resonance when subjected to parametric excitation. Vibro–impact systems have also been used as passive vibration control such as vibro–impact dampers, which will be addressed in Chapter 8.