Stability and bifurcations of an axially moving beam with an intermediate spring support

The forced non-linear vibrations of an axially moving beam fitted with an intra-span spring-support are investigated numerically in this paper. The equation of motion is obtained via Hamilton’s principle and constitutive relations. This equation is then discretized via the Galerkin method using the eigenfunctions of a hinged-hinged beam as appropriate basis functions. The resultant non-linear ordinary differential equations are then solved via either the pseudo-arclength continuation technique or direct time integration. The sub-critical response is examined when the excitation frequency is set near the first natural frequency for both the systems with and without internal resonances. Bifurcation diagrams of Poincaré maps obtained from direct time integration are presented as either the forcing amplitude or the axial speed is varied; as we shall see, a sequence of higher-order bifurcations ensues, involving periodic, quasi-periodic, periodic-doubling, and chaotic motions.