Approximate analytical solutions to nonlinear damped oscillatory systems using a modified algebraic method

In the current paper, a modified algebraic method (MAGM) is proposed as an effective semi-analytical technique for solving nonlinear damped oscillatory systems. A polynomial is supposed as the trial solution, and its unknown coefficients are easily determined through the algebraic method (AGM). In order to improve the solution, the Laplace transformation is applied to the series solution, and then the Padé approximants of the resultant equation are constructed. Finally, the inverse Laplace transformation is adopted to obtain a periodic solution for the nonlinear problem under consideration. The proposed method is then applied for obtaining approximate analytical solutions of a damped rotatory oscillator as well as nonlinear vibrations of a flexible beam excited by an axial force. The results are compared with those obtained by the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, and good agreement is observed.