Modeling and Analyses of Smart Localized Structural Elements for Nonlinear Vibration Control of a Taut String

The behavior of smart localized structural elements for nonlinear vibration control of a taut string is investigated in this manuscript. A nonlinear lumped mass dynamical system is derived and analyzed numerically to reveal conditions for possible forced vibration reduction. The strategy employed consists of an open loop excitation approach enabled via actuation of a smart element by a slight harmonic change of its length. Results of a bifurcation analysis reveal possible vibration reduction via two distinct mechanisms: i) parametric excitation that enables reduction of external forcing and ii) energy transfer from the directly excited vertical response to both rotation and horizontal motions. Keywords: nonlinear vibration, smart localized control, taut string, internal resonances, quasiperiodic dynamics.