Asymptotic motions and stability of the elastoplastic oscillator studied via maps (Q1328739)

The elastoplastic oscillator is studied with tools that are typical of nonlinear dynamics as developed in recent years. Using iterated maps, including the Poincaré map, it is shown how the dynamics concerned can be reduced to a one-dimensional problem. An extended numerical survey shows how the response of the elastoplastic oscillator is always asymptotically stable, with the exception of a zero measure set in the space of control variables where it is only stable. Moreover, solutions having a period other than that of the external force do not exist, though for some parameter values higher harmonics may assume a very relevant role.