Subharmonics and Ultraharmonics in the Forced Oscillations of Weakly Nonlinear Systems

Abstract

The characteristics of subharmonic and ultraharmonic modes appearing in the forced, steady?state oscillations of weakly nonlinear systems are considered from the physical, rather than mathematical, viewpoint. A simple explanation of the differences between the two modes, and in particular of the threshold effect usually exhibited by subharmonic oscillations, is presented. The fundamental resonance in the case of weak excitation is also briefly considered.