Oral: Nonlinear Dynamics of 1D Polycatenated Ring Chains

Nonlinear, deformable structures support the propagation of complex mechanical waves. We study 1D polycatenated ring chains as examples of nonlinear systems that support nonlinear waves, which vary their propagation properties as a function of the external loading condition. By integrating experimental and simulation approaches, we analyze the propagation of nonlinear waves that can be tuned controlling the ring geometry as well as the static preload of the chain. We measure the dynamic response of the chains to impulse excitations, emphasizing the formation and propagation of solitary waves, and compare the response to numerical simulations based on Hertzian contact theory. Additionally, we investigate wave propagation under different loading conditions and explore how changes in ring geometry, such as torus diameter and thickness, influence the contact nonlinearity between adjacent rings. These findings provide a foundation for the design of mechanical systems that harness nonlinearity for advanced functionalities.