On choosing state variables for piecewise-smooth dynamical system simulations

Choosing state variables in a state-space representation of a nonlinear dynamical system is a nonunique procedure for a given input–output relationship and therefore a potentially challenging task. It can be even more challenging when there are piecewise-defined restoring forces, as in bilinear hysteresis or Bouc–Wen models, which are just two of many such engineering mechanics models. Using various piecewise-smooth models, we make use of flow-...