Excitation-Induced Stability in a Bistable Duffing Oscillator: Analysis and Experiments

The excitation-induced stability (EIS) phenomenon in a harmonically excited bistable Duffing oscillator is studied in this paper. Criteria to predict system and excitation conditions necessary to maintain EIS are derived through a combination of the method of harmonic balance, perturbation theory, and stability theory for Mathieu’s equation. Accuracy of the criteria is verified by analytical and numerical studies. We demonstrate that damping primarily determines the likelihood of attaining EIS response when several dynamics coexist while excitation level governs both the existence and frequency range of the EIS region, providing comprehensive guidance for realizing or avoiding EIS dynamics. Experimental results are in good agreement regarding the comprehensive influence of excitation conditions on the inducement of EIS. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4026974]