Non-Linear Characteristics of a Pendulum System

Abstract: In this master thesis, the dynamics of a moving point pendulum and coupled pendulum system are analyzed. First the time simulation is performed. The periodic and non-periodic states of the system are analyzed with varying fundamental forcing frequencies and amplitudes. The amount of distortion in the response is studied. The type of non-linearity is detected with varying force levels and is found to be similar to a softening spring. An experimental test is carried out with a coupled beam-pendulum system and the measurement results agree well with simulation results.