Normal form maps for grazing bifurcations in n-dimensional piecewise-smooth dynamical systems

This paper presents a unified framework for performing local analysis of grazing bifurcations in n-dimensional piecewise-smooth systems of ODEs. These occur when a periodic orbit has a point of tangency with a smooth (n−1)-dimensional boundary dividing distinct regions in phase space where the vector field is smooth. It is shown under quite general circumstances that this leads to a normal-form map that contains to lowest order either a square-root or a (3/2)-type singularity according to whether the vector field is discontinuous or not at the grazing point. In particular, contrary to what has been reported in the literature, piecewise-linear local maps do not occur generically. First, the concept of a grazing bifurcation is carefully defined using appropriate non-degeneracy conditions. Next, complete expressions are derived for calculating the leading-order term in the normal form Poincaré map at a grazing bifurcation point in arbitrary systems, using the concept of a discontinuity mapping. Finally, the theory is compared with numerical examples including bilinear oscillators, a relay feedback controller and general third-order systems.     

Solitary Waves in Nonlinear Beam Equations: Stability,Fission and Fusion

We continue work by the second author and co-workers onsolitary wave solutions of nonlinear beam equations and their stabilityand interaction properties. The equations are partial differentialequations that are fourth-order in space and second-order in time.First, we highlight similarities between the intricate structure ofsolitary wave solutions for two different nonlinearities; apiecewise-linear term versus an exponential approximation to thisnonlinearity which was shown in earlier work to possess remarkablystable solitary waves. Second, we compare two different numericalmethods for solving the time dependent problem. One uses a fixed griddiscretization and the other a moving mesh method. We use these methodsto shed light on the nonlinear dynamics of the solitary waves. Earlywork has reported how even quite complex solitary waves appear stable,and that stable waves appear to interact like solitons. Here we show twofurther effects. The first effect is that large complex waves can, as aresult of roundoff error, spontaneously decompose into two simplerwaves, a process we call fission. The second is the fusion of twostable waves into another plus a small amount of radiation.     

Cellular Buckling in Long Structures

A long structural system with an unstable (subcritical)post-buckling response that subsequently restabilizes typically deformsin a cellular manner, with localized buckles first forming and thenlocking up in sequence. As buckling continues over a growing number ofcells, the response can be described by a set of lengthening homoclinicconnections from the fundamental equilibrium state to itself. In thelimit, this leads to a heteroclinic connection from the fundamentalunbuckled state to a post-buckled state that is periodic. Under suchprogressive displacement the load tends to oscillate between twodistinct values.The paper is both a review and a pointer tofuture research. The response is described via a typical system, asimple but ubiquitous model of a strut on a foundation which includesinitially-destabilizing and finally-restabilizing nonlinear terms. Anumber of different structural forms, including the axially-compressedcylindrical shell, a typical sandwich structure, a model of geologicalfolding and a simple link model are shown to display such behaviour. Amathematical variational argument is outlined for determining the globalminimum postbuckling state under controlled end displacement (rigidloading). Finally, the paper stresses the practical significance of aMaxwell-load instability criterion for such systems. This criterion,defined under dead loading to be where the pre-buckled and post-buckledstate have the same energy, is shown to have significance in the presentsetting under rigid loading also. Specifically, the Maxwell load isargued to be the limit of minimum energy localized solutions asend-shortening tends to infinity.     

Bifurcation and coalescence of a plethora of homoclinic orbits for a Hamiltonian system

This is a further study of the set of homoclinic solutions (i.e., nonzero solutions asymptotic to 0 as ¦x¦) of the reversible Hamiltonian systemu ^iv +Pu +u–u ²=0. The present contribution is in three parts. First, rigorously for P –2, it is proved that there is a unique (up to translation) homoclinic solution of the above system, that solution is even, and on the zero-energy surface its orbit coincides with the transverse intersection of the global stable and unstable manifolds. WhenP=–2 the origin is a node on its local stable and unstable manifolds, and whenP(–2,2) it is a focus. Therefore we can infer, rigorously, from the discovery by Devaney of a Smale horseshoe in the dynamics on the zero energy set, there are infinitely many distinct infinite families of homoclinic solutions forP(–2, –2+) for some>0. Buffoni has shown globally that there are infinitely many homoclinic solutions for allP(–2,0], based on a different approach due to Champneys and Toland. Second, numerically, the development of the set of symmetric homoclinic solutions is monitored asP increases fromP=–2. It is observed that two branches extend fromP=–2 toP=+2 where their amplitudes are found to converge to 0 asP 2. All other symmetric solution branches are in the form of closed loops with a turning point betweenP=–2 andP=+2. Numerically it is observed that each such turning point is accompanied by, though not coincident with, the bifurcation of a branch of nonsymmetrical homoclinic orbits, which can, in turn, be followed back toP=–2. Finally, heuristic explanations of the numerically observed phenomena are offered in the language of geometric dynamical systems theory. One idea involves a natural ordering of homoclinic orbits on the stable and unstable manifolds, given by the Horseshoe dynamics, and goes some way to accounting for the observed order (in terms ofP-values) of the occurrence of turning points. The near-coincidence of turning and asymmetric bifurcation points is explained in terms of the nontransversality of the intersection of the stable and unstable manifolds in the zero energy set on the one hand, and the nontransversality of the intersection of the same manifolds with the symmetric section in ⁴ on the other. Some conjectures based on present understanding are recorded.     

Radiationless traveling waves in saturable nonlinear Schrödinger lattices

The long-standing problem of moving discrete solitary waves in nonlinear Schr?dinger lattices is revisited. The context is photorefractive crystal lattices with saturable nonlinearity whose grand-canonical energy barrier vanishes for isolated coupling strength values. Genuinely localized traveling waves are computed as a function of the system parameters for the first time. The relevant solutions exist only for finite velocities.     

Travelling solitary waves in the discrete Schrödinger equation with saturable nonlinearity: Existence, stability and dynamics

The present work examines in detail the existence, stability and dynamics of travelling solitary waves in a Schrödinger lattice with saturable nonlinearity. After analysing the linear spectrum of the problem in the travelling wave frame, a pseudo-spectral numerical method is used to identify weakly nonlocal solitary waves. By finding zeros of an appropriately crafted tail condition, we can obtain the genuinely localized pulse-like solutions. Subsequent use of continuation methods allows us to obtain the relevant branches of solutions as a function of the system parameters, such as the frequency and intersite coupling strength. We examine the stability of the solutions in two ways: both by imposing numerical perturbations and observing the solution dynamics, as well as by considering the solutions as fixed points of an appropriate map and computing the corresponding Floquet matrix and its eigenvalues. Both methods indicate that our solutions are robustly localized. Finally, the interactions of these solutions are examined in collision type phenomena, observing that relevant collisions are near-elastic, although they may, under appropriate conditions, lead to the generation of an additional pulse.     

Grazing and border-collision in piecewise-smooth systems: a unified analytical framework

A comprehensive derivation is presented of normal form maps for grazing bifurcations in piecewise smooth models of physical processes. This links grazings with border-collisions in nonsmooth maps. Contrary to previous literature, piecewise linear maps correspond only to nonsmooth discontinuity boundaries. All other maps have either square-root or (3/2)-type singularities.     

Mathematical modeling of the radial profile of basilar membrane vibrations in the inner ear

Motivated by recent experimental results, an explanation is sought for the asymmetry in the radial profile of basilar membrane vibrations in the inner ear. A sequence of one-dimensional beam models is studied which take into account variations in the bending stiffness of the basilar membrane as well as the potential presence of structural hinges. The results suggest that the main cause of asymmetry is likely to be differences between the boundary conditions at the two extremes of the basilar membrane's width. This has fundamental implications for more detailed numerical simulations of the entire cochlea.     

Accumulation of embedded solitons in systems with quadratic nonlinearity

Previous numerical studies have revealed the existence of embedded solitons (ESs) in a class of multiwave systems with quadratic nonlinearity, families of which seem to emerge from a critical point in the parameter space, where the zero solution has a fourfold zero eigenvalue. In this paper, the existence of such solutions is studied in a three-wave model. An appropriate rescaling casts the system in a normal form, which is universal for models supporting ESs through quadratic nonlinearities. The normal-form system contains a single irreducible parameter epsilon, and is tantamount to the basic model of type-I second-harmonic generation. An analytical approximation of Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin type yields an asymptotic formula for the distribution of discrete values of epsilon at which the ESs exist. Comparison with numerical results shows that the asymptotic formula yields an exact value of the scaling index, -65, and a fairly good approximation for the numerical factor in front of the scaling term.     

Discontinuity-induced bifurcations in systems with impacts and friction: Discontinuities in the impact law

This paper concerns the non-smooth dynamics of planar mechanical systems with isolated contact in the presence of Coulomb friction. Following Stronge [Impact Mechanics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000], a set of closed-form analytic formulae is derived for a rigid-body impact law based on an energetic coefficient of restitution and a resolution of the impact phase into distinct segments of relative slip and stick. Thus, the impact behavior is consistent both with the assumption of Coulomb friction and with the dissipative nature of impacts. The analysis highlights the presence of boundaries between open regions of initial conditions and parameter values corresponding to distinct forms of the impact law and investigates the smoothness properties of the impact law across these boundaries. It is shown how discontinuities in the impact law are associated with discontinuity-induced bifurcations of periodic trajectories, including non-smooth folds and persistence scenarios. Numerical analysis of an example mechanical model is used to illustrate and validate the conclusions.