DESCRIBING FUNCTION OF A SIMPLE MECHANICAL SYSTEM WITH NON-LINEAR FRICTION

This paper studies the describing function (DF) of systems constituted by a mass subjected to nonlinear friction. The friction force is decomposed in two components namely, the viscous and the Coulomb friction. The system dynamics is analyzed in the DF perspective revealing a fractional-order behaviour. The reliability of the DF method is evaluated through the signal harmonic contents.