Abstract
When a metastable, damped oscillator is driven by strong periodic forcing, the catchment basin of constrained motions in the space of the starting conditions {x(0), ẋ(0)} develops a fractal boundary associated with a homoclinic tangling of the governing invariant manifolds. The four-dimensional basin in the phase-control space spanned by {x(0), ẋ(0), F,ω}, where F is the magnitude and ω the frequency of the excitation, will likewise acquire a fractal boundary, and we here explore the engineering significance of the control cross section corresponding, for example, to x(0) = ẋ(0) = 0. The fractal boundary in this section is a failure locus for a mechanical or electrical system subjected, while resting in its ambient equilibrium state, to a sudden pulse of excitation. We assess here the relative magnitude of the uncertainties implied by this fractal structure for the optimal escape from a universal cubic potential well. Absolute and transient basins are examined, giving control-space maps analogous to familiar pictures of the Mandelbrot set. Generalizing from this prototype study, it is argued that in engineering design, against boat capsize or earthquake damage, for example, a study of safe basins should augment, and perhaps entirely replace, conventional analysis of the steady-state attracting solutions.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bird, H. & Morali, A. 1986 Research towards realistic stability criteria. Proc. Int. Cont on the safeship project: ship stability and safety. London: Royal Institute of Naval Architects.
Eschenazi, E., Solari, H. G. & Gilmore, R. 1989 Basins of attraction in driven dynamical systems. Phys. Rev. A 39, 2609–2627.
Fleischmann, M., Tildesley, D. J. & Ball, R. C. (eds) 1989 Fractals in the Natural Sciences, R.yal Society Discussion Meeting. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 423, 1–200.
Grebogi, C., McDonald, S. W., Ott, E. & Yorke, J. A. 1983 Final state sensitivity: an obstruction to predictability. Phys. Lett. A 99, 415–419.
Mandelbrot, B. B. 1977 The fractal geometry of nature. New York: Freeman.
Miller, D. R., Tam, G., Rainey, R. C. T. & Ritch, R. 1986 Investigation of the use of modern ship motion prediction models in identifying ships with a larger than acceptable risk of dynamic capsize. Report prepared by Arctec Canada Ltd for the Transportation Development Centre of the Canadian Government. Report no. TP7407E.
Moon, F. C. 1987 Chaotic vibrations: an introduction far applied scientists and engineers. New York: Wiley.
McDonald, S. W., Grebogi, C., Ott, E. & Yorke, J. A. 1985 Fractal basin boundaries. Physica D 17, 125–153.
Peitgen, H. O. & Richter, P. H. 1986 The beauty of fractals. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Pezeshki, C. & Dowell, E. H. 1987 An examiantion of initial condition maps for the sinusoidally excited buckled beam modeled by the Duffing’s equation. J. Sound Vibration 117, 219–232.
Rainey, R. C. T. & Thompson, J. M. T. 1990 The transient capsize diagram — a new method of quantifying stability in waves. J. Ship Research. (In the press.)
Soliman, M. S. & Thompson, J. M. T. 1989 Integrity measures quantifying the erosion of smooth and fractal basins of attraction. J. Sound Vibration. (In the press.)
Thompson, J. M. T. 1989 Chaotic phenomena triggering the escape from a potential well. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 421, 195–225.
Thompson, J. M. T. & Stewart, H. B. 1986 Nonlinear dynamics and chaos. Chichester: Wiley.
Thompson, J. M. T. & Ueda, Y. 1989 Basin boundary metamorphoses in the canonical escape equation. Dynamics Stability Syst. 4, 285–294.
Virgin, L. N. 1987 The nonlinear rolling response of a vessel including chaotic motions leading to capsize in regular seas. Appl. Ocean Res. 9, 89–95.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Springer-Verlag Wien
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Thompson, J.M.T., Soliman, M.S. (1991). Fractal Control Boundaries of Driven Oscillators and Their Relevance to Safe Engineering Design. In: Szemplinska-Stupnicka, W., Troger, H. (eds) Engineering Applications of Dynamics of Chaos. International Centre for Mechanical Sciences, vol 319. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-2610-3_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-2610-3_7
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-211-82328-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-2610-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive