In this paper we study, both theoretically and experimentally, the nonlinear vibration of a shallow arch with one end attached to an electro-mechanical shaker. In the experiment we generate harmonic magnetic force on the central core of the shaker by controlling the electric current flowing into the shaker. The end motion of the arch is in general not harmonic, especially when the amplitude of lateral vibration is large. In the case when the excitation frequency is close to the $nth$ natural frequency of the arch, we found that geometrical imperfection is the key for the $nth$ mode to be excited. Analytical formula relating the amplitude of the steady state response and the geometrical imperfection can be derived via a multiple scale analysis. In the case when the excitation frequency is close to two times of the $nth$ natural frequency two stable steady state responses can exist simultaneously. As a consequence jump phenomenon is observed when the excitation frequency sweeps upward. The effect of geometrical imperfection on the steady state response is minimal in this case. The multiple scale analysis not only predicts the amplitudes and phases of both the stable and unstable solutions, but also predicts analytically the frequency at which jump phenomenon occurs.

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