Symbolic dynamics of infinite depth: finding global invariants for BVPs

Continuing the work of Domokos and Holmes [G. Domokos and P. Holmes, J. Non linear Sci, 3 (1993) 109-151] and Domokos [G. Domokos, Phil. Trans. Roy. Se c. Lend. A 355 (1997) 2099-2116], we explore global bifurcation diagrams of elastic linkages subject to quasi-static, conservative, one-parameter load , The main result is an explicit construction of a finite length, infinite depth symbolic dynamics which uniquely characterizes all solutions of the b oundary value problem (BVP). We give an estimate based on global symmetry a rguments that provide a powerful tool for the numerical identification of t he symbolic dynamics. The same estimate is helpful to find self-similar dis tribution patterns for the stable solutions. (C)1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.