NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
On the use of the consistent mass matrix in flexible multibody systemsTwo different methods are used in finite element structural analysis to define element mass distribution: consistent and lumped mass approximations. The lumped mass method is currently favored in multibody dynamics software packages because of its computational efficiency. This paper, however, presents a multibody dynamics formulation based on the consistent mass approach which should prove to be as computationally efficient as the lumped mass approach. It is shown that when component flexibility is modelled using modal coordinates, the equations of motion, as formulated by these two methods, are very similar in appearance, thereby facilitating their comparison. It is also shown, through simulation of a simple multibody system, that a system formulated with the lumped mass approximation will often require more finite elements and smaller integration step sizes than the corresponding consistent mass system.
Document ID
19930067390
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Anthony, Tobin C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Craig, Roy R., Jr.
(Texas Univ. Austin, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: In: AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, Monterey, CA, Aug. 9-11, 1993, Technical Papers. Pt. 2 (A93-51301 22-63)
Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Subject Category
Structural Mechanics
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 93-3794
Accession Number
93A51387
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available