Tenreiro Machado, J. A.Galhano, Alexandra2019-03-262008http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/13152Fractional calculus is a mathematical paradigm that has been increasingly adopted to describe the dynamics of systems with hereditary characteristics, or that reflect an average of a large population of microelements. In this line of thought, this article analyzes the statistical dynamics of a system composed of a large number of micromechanical masses with backlash and impacts. We conclude that, while individual dynamics of each element has an integer-order nature, the global dynamics reveal the existence of both integer and fractional dynamics.engjournal article10.1115/1.2833481