Free vibrations of an uncertain energy pumping system

The aim of this paper is to study the energy pumping (the irreversible energy transfer from one structure, linear, to another structure, nonlinear) robustness considering the uncertainties of the parameters of a two DOF mass-spring-damper, composed of two subsystems, coupled by a linear spring: one linear subsystem, the primary structure, and one nonlinear subsystem, the so-called NES (nonlinear energy sink). Three parameters of the system will be considered as uncertain: the nonlinear stiffness and the two dampers. Random variables are associated to the uncertain parameters and probability density functions are constructed for the random variables applying the Maximum Entropy Principle. A sensitivity analysis is then performed, considering different levels of dispersion, and conclusions are obtained about the influence of the uncertain parameters in the robustness of the system. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.