Experiments on the onset of impacting motion using a pipe conveying fluid

The transition from stable periodic nonimpacting motion to impacting motion, due to variations of parameters, is observable in a wide range of vibro-impact systems. Recent theoretical studies suggest a possible scenario for this type of transition. A key element in the proposed scenario is fulfilled if the oscillatory motion involved in the transition is born in a supercritical Hopf bifurcation. If the onset of impacting motion is close to the Hopf bifurcation, the impacting motion is likely to be chaotic. A numerical simulation of a system of articulated pipes conveying fluid is used to illuminate the theory. An experimental setup is presented, where a cantilevered pipe conveying fluid is unilaterally constrained. Results from experiments are found to be in good qualitative agreement with the theory.