An Unsymmetrical Motion in a Horizontal Impact Oscillator

Abstract

Stability and bifurcation for the unsymmetrical, periodic motion of a horizontal impact oscillator under a periodic excitation are investigated through four mappings based on two switch-planes relative to discontinuities. Period-doubling bifurcation for unsymmetrical period-1 motions instead of symmetrical period-1 motion is observed. A numerical investigation for symmetrical, period-1 motion to chaos is completed. The numerical and analytical results of periodic motions are in very good agreement. The methodology presented in this paper is applicable to other discontinuous dynamic systems. This investigation also provides a better understanding of such an unsymmetrical motion in symmetrical discontinuous systems.