Response of Duffing's Oscillator to Harmonic Base Excitation and Significance of First Order Term

Responses of systems with nonlinear stiffness subjected to base harmonic excitation are determined. An expression to estimate the amplitude in the fundamental frequency of oscillation is derived from first principles using Lindstedt’s method. It is observed that the amplitude determined using the zero order approximation is in error at low frequencies. Therefore, an expression for the first order approximation of the amplitude of response at the fundamental frequency is derived. Zero order and first order approximation terms together form the response. Characteristics showing the variation of the amplitude with the excitation frequency for various nonlinear spring parameters are presented. The issue at low frequencies is resolved by the incorporation of the first order term. An expression for the phase difference and the expression of the asymptote where the responses converge are also derived.