Pathfollowing of high-dimensional hysteretic systems under periodic forcing

The dynamic response and bifurcations of high-dimensional systems endowed with hysteretic restoring forces in all degrees of freedom are investigated. Two types of hysteresis models are considered, namely the Bouc–Wen model and a differential version of the so-called exponential model of hysteresis. The numerical technique tailored for tackling high-dimensional hysteretic systems is based on an enhanced pathfollowing approach based on the Poincaré map. In particular, a five-dof mass-spring-damper-like system, with each rheological element described by the Bouc–Wen or the exponential model of hysteresis enriched by cubic and quintic nonlinear elastic terms, is investigated and a rich variety of nonlinear responses and bifurcations is found and discussed.