Vortex-induced vibrations of a rigid cylinder on non-linear elastic supports

The dynamics of vortex-induced vibrations of a rigid circular cylinder with structural non-linearities, introduced by means of discontinuities in the support system, are studied experimentally. The analysis of the measurements is carried out using non-linear vibration tools, i.e phase-flow portraits, frequency spectra, Lyapunov exponents and correlation dimensions, to provide an insight into the dynamical changes in the system brought about by restricting the motion. We show that chaotic motions can occur due to the structural nonlinearities.