Numerical Computation of Nonlinear Normal Modes in Multi-Mode Models of an Inertially Coupled Elastic Structure

Abstract

There are many techniques available for the construction of nonlinear normal modes. Most studies for systems with more than one degree of freedom utilize asymptotic techniques or the method of multiple time scales, which are valid only for small amplitude motions. Previous works of the authors have investigated nonlinear normal modes in elastic structures with essential inertial nonlinearities, and considered two degree-of-freedom reduced-order models that exhibit 1:2 resonance. For small amplitude oscillations with low energy, this reduced analysis is acceptable, while for higher energy vibrations and vibrations that are away from internal resonances, this may not provide an accurate representation of NNMs. For high energy vibration and vibrations away from internal resonances, two natural issues to be addressed are the dimension of the reduced-order model used for constructing NNMs, and the order of nonlinearities retained in the truncated models. To address these issues, a comparison of NNMs computed for three different reduced degree of freedom models for the elastic structure is reported here. The reduced models considered are: (i) A two degree-of-freedom reduced model with only quadratic nonlinearities; (ii) A two degree-of-freedom reduced model with both quadratic and cubic nonlinearities; (iii) A five degrees-of-freedom model with both quadratic and cubic nonlinearities. A numerical method based on shooting technique is used for constructing the NNMs and results for system near 1:2 internal resonances between the two lowest modes and away from any internal resonance are compared.