Research Topic

My ME dissertation title was "Chaos prediction in a piecewise linear oscillator". We attempt to predict chaos in one dof system that consists of a spring with piecewise linear negative and nonlinear cubic stiffness using Melnikov function. The systems is perturbed by a small damping and weak external excitation. To evaluate Melnikov function, we find parametrization of the separatrix in the phase plane of the unperturbed system in a piecewise linear fashion and then find limits of integration, i.e. the times along the separatrix where the governing equation switches due to piecewise linearity. Evaluation of different integrals involved is carried out by contour integration at times.