New Approach to the Modeling of Complex Multibody Dynamical Systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Schutte ◽  
Firdaus Udwadia

In this paper, a general method for modeling complex multibody systems is presented. The method utilizes recent results in analytical dynamics adapted to general complex multibody systems. The term complex is employed to denote those multibody systems whose equations of motion are highly nonlinear, nonautonomous, and possibly yield motions at multiple time and distance scales. These types of problems can easily become difficult to analyze because of the complexity of the equations of motion, which may grow rapidly as the number of component bodies in the multibody system increases. The approach considered herein simplifies the effort required in modeling general multibody systems by explicitly developing closed form expressions in terms of any desirable number of generalized coordinates that may appropriately describe the configuration of the multibody system. Furthermore, the approach is simple in implementation because it poses no restrictions on the total number and nature of modeling constraints used to construct the equations of motion of the multibody system. Conceptually, the method relies on a simple three-step procedure. It utilizes the Udwadia–Phohomsiri equation, which describes the explicit equations of motion for constrained mechanical systems with singular mass matrices. The simplicity of the method and its accuracy is illustrated by modeling a multibody spacecraft system.

Author(s):  
P. Maißer

This paper presents a differential-geometric approach to the multibody system dynamics regarded as a point dynamics in a n-dimensional configuration space Rn. This configuration space becomes a Riemannian space Vn the metric of which is defined by the kinetic energy of the multibody system (MBS). Hence, all concepts and statements of the Riemannian geometry can be used to study the dynamics of MBS. One of the key points is to set up the non-linear Lagrangian motion equations of tree-like MBS as well as of constrained mechanical systems, the perturbed equations of motion, and the motion equations of hybrid MBS in a derivative-free manner. Based on this approach transformation properties can be investigated for application in real-time simulation, control theory, Hamilton mechanics, the construction of first integrals, stability etc. Finally, a general Lyapunov-stable force control law for underactuated systems is given that demonstrates the power of the approach in high-performance sports applications.


Author(s):  
E. Bayo ◽  
J. M. Jimenez

Abstract We investigate in this paper the different approaches that can be derived from the use of the Hamiltonian or canonical equations of motion for constrained mechanical systems with the intention of responding to the question of whether the use of these equations leads to more efficient and stable numerical algorithms than those coming from acceleration based formalisms. In this process, we propose a new penalty based canonical description of the equations of motion of constrained mechanical systems. This technique leads to a reduced set of first order ordinary differential equations in terms of the canonical variables with no Lagrange’s multipliers involved in the equations. This method shows a clear advantage over the previously proposed acceleration based formulation, in terms of numerical efficiency. In addition, we examine the use of the canonical equations based on independent coordinates, and conclude that in this second case the use of the acceleration based formulation is more advantageous than the canonical counterpart.


Author(s):  
Fisseha M. Alemayehu ◽  
Stephen Ekwaro-Osire

The dynamics of contact, stress and failure analysis of multibody systems is highly nonlinear. Nowadays, several commercial and other analysis software dedicated for this purpose are available. However, these codes do not consider the uncertainty involved in loading, design, and assembly parameters. One of these systems with a combined high nonlinearity and uncertainty of parameters is the gearbox of wind turbines (WTs). Wind turbine gearboxes (WTG) are subjected to variable torsional and nontorsional loads. In addition, the manufacturing and assembly process of these devices results in uncertainty of the design parameters of the system. These gearboxes are reported to fail in their early life of operation, within three to seven years as opposed to the expected twenty years of operation. Their downtime and maintenance process is the most costly of any failure of subassembly of WTs. The objective of this work is to perform a probabilistic multibody dynamic analysis (PMBDA) of a helical compound planetary stage of a selected wind turbine gearbox that considers ten random variables: two loading (the rotor speed, generator side torque), and eight design parameters. The reliability or probabilities of failure of each gear and probabilistic sensitivities of the input variables toward two performance functions have been measured and conclusions have been drawn. The results revealed that PMBDA has demonstrated a new approach of gear system design beyond a traditional deterministic approach. The method demonstrated the components' reliability or probability of failure and sensitivity results that will be used as a tool for designers to make sound decisions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 518 ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yury Rossikhin ◽  
Marina Shitikova

Dynamic behaviour of a nonlinear plate embedded in a fractional derivative viscoelastic medium and subjected to the conditions of the internal resonances two-to-one has been studied by Rossikhin and Shitikova in [1]. Nonlinear equations, the linear parts of which occur to be coupled, were solved by the method of multiple time scales. A new approach proposed in this paper allows one to uncouple the linear parts of equations of motion of the plate, while the same method, the method of multiple time scales, has been utilized for solving nonlinear equations. The new approach enables one to find a new type of the internal resonanse, i.e., one-to-one-to-two, as well as to solve the problems of vibrations of thin bodies more efficiently.


1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Richard ◽  
R. Anderson ◽  
G. C. Andrews

This paper describes the vector-network approach which is a comprehensive mathematical model for the systematic formulation of the nonlinear equations of motion of dynamic three-dimensional constrained multi-body systems. The entire procedure is a basic application of concepts of graph theory in which laws of vector dynamics have been combined. The main concepts of the method have been explained in previous publications but the work described herein is an appreciable extension of this relatively new approach. The method casts simultaneously the three-dimensional inertia equations associated with each rigid body and the geometrical expressions corresponding to the kinematic restrictions into a symmetrical format yielding the differential equations governing the motion of the system. The algorithm is eminently well suited for the computer-aided simulation of arbitrary interconnected rigid bodies; it serves as the basis for a “self-formulating” computer program which can simulate the response of a dynamic system, given only the system description.


Author(s):  
Firdaus E Udwadia ◽  
Phailaung Phohomsiri

We present the new, general, explicit form of the equations of motion for constrained mechanical systems applicable to systems with singular mass matrices. The systems may have holonomic and/or non-holonomic constraints, which may or may not satisfy D'Alembert's principle at each instant of time. The equation provides new insights into the behaviour of constrained motion and opens up new ways of modelling complex multi-body systems. Examples are provided and applications of the equation to such systems are illustrated.


2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gengxiang Wang ◽  
Hongzhao Liu ◽  
Peisheng Deng

The influence of the spherical joint with clearance caused by wear on the dynamics performance of spatial multibody system is predicted based on the Archard's wear model and equations of motion of multibody systems. First, the function of contact deformation and load acting on the spherical joint with clearance is derived based on the improved Winkler elastic foundation model and Hertz quadratic pressure distribution assumption. On this basis, considering the influence of clearance size and wear state on the contact stiffness between spherical joint elements, an improved contact force model is proposed by Lankarani–Nikravesh contact force model and improved stiffness coefficient that is the slope of the function of contact deformation and load. Second, due to the complexity for that wear impacts on the surface topography of contact bodies, an approximate calculation method of contact area with respect to the clearance spherical joint is provided for simplifying the computational process of contact pressure in the Archard's wear model. Subsequently, the contact pressure between contact bodies is calculated by the improved contact force model and approximate contact area (ICFM–ACA), which is verified via finite element method (FEM). Moreover, the dynamics model of spatial four bar mechanism considering spherical joint with clearance caused by wear is formulated using equations of motion of multibody systems. Finally, the wear depth of spherical joint with clearance is predicted via two different kinds of contact pressure based on the Archard's wear model (one is from the ICFM–ACA and the other is from FEM), respectively. The numerical simulation results show that the improved contact force model and proposed approximate contact area are correctness and validity for predicting wear in the spherical joint with clearance. Simultaneously, the effect of the spherical joint with clearance caused by wear on the dynamics performance of spatial four bar mechanism is analyzed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Firdaus Udwadia ◽  
Nami Mogharabin

Abstract Zero-mass particles are, as a rule, never used in analytical dynamics, because they lead to singular mass matrices. However, recent advances in the development of the explicit equations of motion of constrained mechanical systems with singular mass matrices permit their use under certain circumstances. This paper shows that the use of such particles can be very efficacious in some problems in analytical dynamics that have resisted easy, general formulations, and in obtaining the equations of motion for complex multi-body systems. We explore the ease and simplicity that suitably used zero-mass particles can provide in formulating and simulating the equations of motion of a rigid, non-homogeneous sphere rolling under gravity, without slipping, on an arbitrarily prescribed surface. Computational results comparing the significant difference in the motion of a homogeneous sphere and a non-homogeneous sphere rolling down an asymmetric arbitrarily prescribed surface are obtained, along with measures of the accuracy of the computations. While the paper shows the usefulness of zero-mass particles applied to the classical problem of a rolling sphere, the development given is described in a general enough manner to be applicable to numerous other problems in analytical and multi-body dynamics that may have much greater complexity.


Author(s):  
Mojtaba Oghbaei ◽  
Kurt S. Anderson ◽  
John A. Evans

This paper outlines the parallel implementation of a newly developed multibody system dynamics formulation. The methodology provides the means for the dynamic simulation to be parallelized temporally as well as spatially which will allow better exploitation of anticipated massively parallel computing resources. This will have three advantages: First, the system of equations may now be coarse grain parallelized to a far greater degree allowing an increased number of processors to be effectively utilized. Secondly, this will significantly reduce the fraction of serial operations and thus should increase speedup (reduced turn-around). Finally, the method allows temporal scale of each variable to be adjusted independently and as such offer considerable advantage for the efficient and accurate modeling and simulation of multiscale behaviors. These gains can be accomplished by discretizing a special form of the equations of motion in both temporal and spatial domains. Examples are provided to clarify the application of this scheme with particular attention on time domain parallelization.


Author(s):  
Markus Burkhardt ◽  
Robert Seifried ◽  
Peter Eberhard

The symbolic modeling of flexible multibody systems is a challenging task. This is especially the case for complex-shaped elastic bodies, which are described by a numerical model, e.g., an FEM model. The kinematic and dynamic properties of the flexible body are in this case numerical and the elastic deformations are described with a certain number of local shape functions, which results in a large amount of data that have to be handled. Both attributes do not suggest the usage of symbolic tools to model a flexible multibody system. Nevertheless, there are several symbolic multibody codes that can treat flexible multibody systems in a very efficient way. In this paper, we present some of the modifications of the symbolic research code Neweul-M2 which are needed to support flexible bodies. On the basis of these modifications, the mentioned restrictions due to the numerical flexible bodies can be eliminated. Furthermore, it is possible to re-establish the symbolic character of the created equations of motion even in the presence of these solely numerical flexible bodies.


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