Stability, Bifurcation, and Quenching Chaos of a Vehicle Suspension System

Abstract

This study investigated the dynamics and control of a nonlinear suspension system using a quarter-car model that is forced by the road profile. Bifurcation analysis used to characterize nonlinear dynamic behavior revealed codimension-two bifurcation and homoclinic orbits. The nonlinear dynamics were determined using bifurcation diagrams, phase portraits, Poincaré maps, frequency spectra, and Lyapunov exponents. The Lyapunov exponent was used to identify the onset of chaotic motion. Finally, state feedback control was used to prevent chaotic motion. The effectiveness of the proposed control method was determined via numerical simulations.