Multi-pulse chaotic dynamics in non-planar motion of parametrically excited viscoelastic moving belt

This paper investigates the multi-pulse global bifurcations and chaotic dynamics for the nonlinear, non-planar oscillations of the parametrically excited viscoelastic moving belt using an extended Melnikov method in the resonant case. Using the Kelvin-type viscoelastic constitutive law and Hamilton's principle, the equations of motion are derived for the viscoelastic moving belt with the external damping and parametric excitation. Applying the method of multiple scales and Galerkin's approach to the partial differential governing equation, the four-dimensional averaged equation is obtained for the case of 1:1 internal resonance and primary parametric resonance. From the averaged equations obtained, the theory of normal form is used to derive the explicit expressions of normal form with a double zero and a pair of pure imaginary eigenvalues. Based on the explicit expressions of normal form, the extended Melnikov method is used for the first time to investigate the Shilnikov-type multi-pulse homoclinic bifurcations and chaotic dynamics. The paper demonstrates how to employ the extended Melnikov method to analyze the Shilnikov-type multi-pulse homoclinic bifurcations and chaotic dynamics of high-dimensional nonlinear systems in engineering applications. Numerical simulations show that for the nonlinear non-planar oscillations of the viscoelastic moving belt, the Shilnikov-type multi-pulse chaotic motions can occur. Overall, both theoretical and numerical studies suggest that the chaos for the Smale horseshoe sense in motion exists.

► We study multi-pulse chaotic dynamics for non-planar motion of a viscoelastic moving belt.
► Four-dimensional averaged equation is obtained for primary parametric resonance.
► Normal form with a double zero and a pair of pure imaginary eigenvalues is obtained.
► An extended Melnikov method in the resonant case is used.
► Numerical simulations show that Shilnikov-type multi-pulse chaotic motions can occur.