Abstract

In the present paper, a new analytical technique based on the rational harmonic balance method has been introduced to determine approximate periodic solutions for the nonlinear non-smooth oscillator. A frequency–amplitude relationship has also been obtained by a novel analytical way. The standard rational harmonic balance method cannot be used directly; it is possible if we rewrite the nonlinear differential equations. To overcome this previously stated issue, we offered a modified rational harmonic balance method. It is noticed that a MRHBM works very well for the whole range of initial amplitudes and the excellent agreement of the approximate frequencies as well as the corresponding periodic solutions with its exact ones. The method is basically illustrated by the nonlinear non-smooth oscillators, but it is additionally useful for other nonlinear oscillatory problems with mixed parity arising in recent development of nonlinear sciences and engineering.