Rotating potential of a stochastic parametric pendulum

Abstract

The parametric pendulum is a fruitful dynamical system manifesting some of the most interesting phenomena of nonlinear dynamics, well-known to exhibit rather complex motion including period doubling, fold and pitchfork bifurcations, let alone the global bifurcations leading to chaotic or rotational motion. In this thesis, the potential of establishing rotational motion is studied considering the bobbing motion of ocean waves as the source of excitation of a oating pendulum. The challenge within this investigation lies on the fact that waves are random, as well as their observed low frequency, characteristics which pose a broader signi cance within the study of vibrating systems. Thus, a generic study is conducted with the parametric pendulum being excited by a narrow-band stochastic process and particularly, the random phase modulation is utilized. In order to explore the dynamics of the stochastic system, Markov-chain Monte-Calro simulations are performed to acquire a view on the in uence of randomness onto the parameter regions leading to rotational response. Furthermore, the Probability Density Function of the response is calculated, applying a numerical iterative scheme to solve the total probability law, exploiting the Chapman-Kolmogorov equation inherent to Markov processes. A special case of the studied structure undergoing impacts is considered to account for extreme weather conditions and nally, a novel design is investigated experimentally, aiming to set the ground for future development.