Dynamics characteristic of a linear oscillator with nonlinear damped attachment as energy absorber

The dynamics of a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) nonlinear system, consisting of a grounded linear coupled to an attachment by means of an essentially nonlinear stiffness, is studied. The essential nonlinearity of the attachment enable it to resonate with any of the linearized modes of the substructure leading to energy pumping phenomena, irreversible transfer of energy from the substructure to the attachment. We then study analytically the periodic orbits of the system using a complexification/averaging technique in order to determine the frequency contents of the fundamental branches of solutions, and to understand the types of oscillation performed by the system at different regimes of the motion. The results of numerical analysis show complex dynamic structure of the system. © (2011) Trans Tech Publications.