Period-3 Motions to Chaos in a Softening Duffing Oscillator

Abstract

In this paper, period-3 motions to chaos in the periodically forced, softening Duffing oscillator are investigated analytically. The analytical solutions for period-3 and period-6 motions are approximated through the generalized harmonic balance method. The bifurcation trees of period-3 motions to chaos are presented analytically. The symmetric and asymmetric period-3 motions are found. The symmetric to asymmetric period-3 motions experience the saddle-node bifurcation. From the Hopf bifurcation of the asymmetric period-3 motion, period-6 motions are determined analytically from the bifurcation tree of period-3 motions. Such an investigation provides a complete picture of period-3 motions to period-6 motions. With such bifurcation tree, the chaotic motions relative to period-3 motions in such a softening Duffing oscillator can be determined analytically. In a similar fashion, other bifurcation trees of period-m motions to chaos can be determined analytically.