Experimental switching between coexisting attractors in the yoke-bell-clapper system.

This paper presents experimental switching between two attractors in the swinging bell. In the considered yoke-bell-clapper system, two coexisting solutions appear. In the first one, we observe a single impact between the bell and the clapper per one period of motion, and in the second solution, no impacts occur-no sound is produced.

Review of sample-based methods used in an analysis of multistable dynamical systems.

Sample-based methods are a useful tool in analyzing the global behavior of multi-stable systems originating from various branches of science. Classical methods, such as bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, and basins of attraction, often fail to analyze complex systems with many coexisting attractors. Thus, we have to apply a different strategy to understand the dynamics of such systems.

Dynamical response of a rocking rigid block.

This paper investigates the complex dynamical behavior of a rigid block structure under harmonic ground excitation, thereby mimicking, for instance, the oscillation of the system under seismic excitation or containers placed on a ship under periodic acting of sea waves. The equations of motion are derived, assuming a large frictional coefficient at the interface between the block and the ground, in such a way that sliding cannot occur. In addition, the mathematical model assumes a loss of kinetic energy when an impact with the ground takes place.

Time dependent stability margin in multistable systems.

We propose a novel technique to analyze multistable, non-linear dynamical systems. It enables one to characterize the evolution of a time-dependent stability margin along stable periodic orbits. By that, we are able to indicate the moments along the trajectory when the stability surplus is minimal, and even relatively small perturbation can lead to a tipping point.

Erratum: Sample-based approach can outperform the classical dynamical analysis - experimental confirmation of the basin stability method.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.