Lubricated revolute joints in rigid multibody systems

The main purpose of this work is to present a general methodology for modeling lubricated revolute joints in constrained rigid multibody systems. In the dynamic analysis of journal-bearings, the hydrodynamic forces, which include both squeeze and wedge effects, generated by the lubricant fluid, oppose the journal motion. The hydrodynamic forces are obtained by integrating the pressure distribution evaluated with the aid of Reynolds’ equation, written for the dynamic regime. The hydrodynamic forces built up by the lubricant fluid are evaluated from the system state variables and included into the equations of motion of the multibody system. Numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the methodologies and procedures described in this work.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Strain-Based Analysis for Geometrically Nonlinear Beams: A Modal Approach

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/97066/1/AIAA2012-1713.pd

A comparison of Finite Elements for Nonlinear Beams: The absolute nodal coordinate and geometrically exact formulations

Two of the most popular finite element formulations for solving nonlinear beams are the absolute nodal coordinate and the geometrically exact approaches. Both can be applied to problems with very large deformations and strains, but they differ substantially at the continuous and the discrete levels. In addition, implementation and run-time computational costs also vary significantly. In the current work, we summarize the main features of the two formulations, highlighting their differences and similarities, and perform numerical benchmarks to assess their accuracy and robustness. The article concludes with recommendations for the choice of one formulation over the other

A parametric study on the dynamic response of planar multibody systems with multiple clearance joints

A general methodology for dynamic modeling and analysis of multibody systems with multiple clearance joints is presented and discussed in this paper. The joint components that constitute a real joint are modeled as colliding bodies, being their behavior influenced by geometric and physical properties of the contacting surfaces. A continuous contact force model, based on the elastic Hertz theory together with a dissipative term, is used to evaluate the intra-joint contact forces. Furthermore, the incorporation of the friction phenomenon, based on the classical Coulomb’s friction law, is also discussed. The suitable contact-impact force models are embedded into the dynamics of multibody systems methodologies. An elementary mechanical system is used to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the presented approach, and to discuss the main assumptions and procedures adopted. Different test scenarios are considered with the purpose of performing a parametric study for quantifying the influence of the clearance size, input crank speed and number of clearance joints on the dynamic response of multibody systems with multiple clearance joints. Additionally, the total computation time consumed in each simulation is evaluated in order to test the computational accuracy and efficiency of the presented approach. From the main results obtained in this study, it can be drawn that clearance size and the operating conditions play a crucial role in predicting accurately the dynamic responses of multibody systems.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

A Self-Stabilized Algorithm for Enforcing Constraints in Multibody Systems

A new algorithm is developed for the enforcement of constraints within the framework of nonlinear, flexible multi-body system modeled with the finite element approach. The proposed algorithm exactly satisfies the constraints at the displacement and velocity levels, and furthermore, it achieves nonlinear unconditional stability by imposing the vanishing of the work done by the constraint forces when combined with specific discretizations of the inertial and elastic forces. Identical convergence rates are observed for the displacements, velocities, and Lagrange multipliers. The proposed algorithm is closely related to the stabilized index-2 or GGL method, although no additional multipliers are introduced in the present approach. These desirable characteristics are obtained without resorting to numerically dissipative algorithms. If high frequencies are present in the system, i.e. the system is physically stiff, dissipative schemes become necessary; the proposed algorithm is extended to deal with this situation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

A Solution of the Eigenproblem for Undamped Gyroscopic Systems with the Lanczos Algorithm

This paper presents an efficient numerical solution of the quadratic eigenproblem arising in the analysis of gyroscopic systems. Such problems are known to reduce to a generalized linear eigenproblem defined by two real non-singular matrices, one symmetric and one skew-symmetric. For this class of problems, the general Lanczos algorithm for unsymmetric matrices is shown to simplify considerably and yields an efficient solution of the problem. Full advantage can be taken of the sparsity of the matrices and of the specific nature of gryoscopic systems. Numerical examples are presented, which demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the solution procedure

On the modeling of friction and rolling in flexible multi-body systems

This paper is concerned with the dynamic analysis of flexible, nonlinear multi-body systems undergoing contact involving friction and rolling. A continuous friction law is used to model the friction forces between contacting bodies. This avoids the numerical problems associated with the discontinuity inherent to Coulomb's friction law and eliminates the need for different sets of equations modeling sliding and rolling as distinct phenomena. On the other hand, continuous friction laws eliminate specific physical phenomena implied by Coulomb's friction law. The condition of vanishing relative velocity between two contacting bodies is not possible: sticking or rolling are replaced by creeping with a small relative velocity. Discrete events such as transition from slipping to rolling or rolling to slipping are eliminated, together with the high frequency phenomena they are likely to cause. The computational issues associated with the continuous friction law and with the enforcement of the non-holonomic rolling constraint are addressed in this paper. This work is developed within the framework of energy preserving and decaying time integration schemes that provide unconditional stability for nonlinear, flexible multi-body systems undergoing contact involving friction and rolling1. © 2000 The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. All rights reserved