Period-1 Motion to Chaos in a Nonlinear Flexible Rotor System

Abstract

In this paper, a bifurcation tree of period-1 motion to chaos in a flexible nonlinear rotor system is presented through period-1 to period-8 motions. Stable and unstable periodic motions on the bifurcation tree in the flexible rotor system are achieved semi-analytically, and the corresponding stability and bifurcation of the periodic motions are analyzed by eigenvalue analysis. On the bifurcation tree, the appearance and vanishing of jumping phenomena of periodic motions are generated by saddle-node bifurcations, and quasi-periodic motions are induced by Neimark bifurcations. Period-doubling bifurcations of periodic motions are for developing cascaded bifurcation trees, however, the birth of new periodic motions are based on the saddle-node bifurcation. For a better understanding of periodic motions on the bifurcation tree, nonlinear harmonic amplitude characteristics of periodic motions are presented. Numerical simulations of periodic motions are performed for the verification of semi-analytical predictions. From such a study, nonlinear Jeffcott rotor possesses complex periodic motions. Such results can help one detect and control complex motions in rotor systems for industry.