Abstract
Nonlinear normal modes (NNMs) are a widely used tool for studying nonlinear mechanical systems. The most commonly observed NNMs are synchronous (i.e. single-mode, in-phase and anti-phase NNMs). Additionally, asynchronous NNMs in the form of out-of-unison motion, where the underlying linear modes have a phase difference of 90°, have also been observed. This paper extends these concepts to consider general asynchronous NNMs, where the modes exhibit a phase difference that is not necessarily equal to 90°. A single-mass, 2 d.f. model is firstly used to demonstrate that the out-of-unison NNMs evolve to general asynchronous NNMs with the breaking of the geometrically orthogonal structure of the system. Analytical analysis further reveals that, along with the breaking of the orthogonality, the out-of-unison NNM branches evolve into branches which exhibit amplitude-dependent phase relationships. These NNM branches are introduced here and termed phase-varying backbone curves. To explore this further, a model of a cable, with a support near one end, is used to demonstrate the existence of phase-varying backbone curves (and corresponding general asynchronous NNMs) in a common engineering structure.