A complete set of design rules for a vibro-impact NES based on a multiple scales approximation of a nonlinear mode

The aim of the paper is to formulate a complete set of design rules for a vibro-impact nonlinear energy sink (VI NES). Hereto, analytical and numerical methods to extract the backbone curve of vibro-impact systems are presented. The adopted approach exploits the multiple scales method and is applied to a linear oscillator coupled with a VI NES. The dynamics of the system are explored and the system’s response under harmonic forcing in the vicinity of resonance is analyzed and approximated. The presented method allows for the derivation of a closed-form approximation of a nonlinear mode. The relation between the steady state response and the input parameters is established. The resonance frequency of the examined nonlinear system for different excitation levels is estimated and the corresponding backbone curve is identified. The theoretical predictions are confirmed through a comparison with the standard resonant decay method combined with a phase-locked loop. Finally, the closed-form approximations are used to derive a complete set of design rules for a vibro-impact nonlinear energy sink.