Dynamics of nonlinear cyclic systems with structural irregularity (Q1389202)

The authors investigate the dynamics of repetitive cyclic structures consisting of nearly identical, interconnected elements. First of all, they quantify the combined influence of structural irregularity and nonlinearity on the underlying modal structure of cyclic system. The equations which govern synchronous motions for an \(N\)-degree-fo-freedom assembly are obtained in the presence of weak mistuning by using the method of multiple scales. Based on these equations, spatially extended, weakly localized and strongly localized modes are found to exist for degenerate, uncoupled cyclic assemblies. Moreover, the extended and localized modes are found which persist in the presence of weak inter-element coupling, and the spatial distribution of vibrational energy is shown to be highly dependent on the amount of structural irregularity present in the system. In addition, the authors compute numerically the synchronous solutions of 2- and 3-degree-of-freedom cyclic systems for various mistunings, the presence of both hardening and softening nonlinearities. The following results are obtained: 1. The pitchfork-mode bifurcations which exist in systems with symmetries are found to degenerate in the presence of structural mistuning, giving rise to saddle-node bifurcations; 2. The onset of these mode bifurcations are delayed with increased mistuning; 3. An unforced cyclic assembly exhibits a combination of localized and nonlocalized nonlinear normal modes, exceeding the number of modes predicted by linear theory. As a conclusion, the numerical results demonstrate that the combined influence of structural mistuning and nonlinearities does not lead to a uniform improvement of motion characteristics.