Asymptotic of 'rigid-body' motions for nonlinear dynamics: physical insight and methodologies

Abstract

The purpose of the present work is to show that an adequate basis for understanding the essentially nonlinear phenomena must also be essentially nonlinear however still simple enough to play the role of a basis. It is shown that such types of 'elementary' nonlinear models can be revealed by tracking the hidden links between analytical tools of analyses and subgroups of the rigid-body motions or, in other terms, rigid Euclidean transformation. While the subgroup of rotations is linked with linear and weakly nonlinear vibrations, the translations with reflections can be viewed as a geometrical core of the strongly nonlinear dynamics associated with the so-called vibro-impact behaviors. It is shown that the corresponding analytical approach develops through non-smooth temporal substitutions generated by the impact models.