An analytical treatment of discretely varying constraints and inertial properties in multi-body dynamicsA computerized procedure is presented for calculating instantaneous velocity changes due to discrete imposition of constraints, impact or discrete inertial changes. Such discrete changes are impulsive in nature, involve wave propagation and therefore usually require detailed modeling for accurate prediction. It is demonstrated that when modeling is coarse, physically unrealistic results can be produced. The present procedure, which concentrates on finite element analysis, reduces the need for detailed modeling by assuming that only those velocities in the neighborhood of grid points involved in the constraint or those rigidly connected to grid points involved in the constraint need be considered in calculating velocity changes. The procedure utilizes Newton's second law and as such conserves momentum where valid. Sample problems are provided.
Document ID
19860054166
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Housner, J. M. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Mcgowan, P. E. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)