AAS 95-390

Recent Advances in Modeling Flexible Multibody Systems

R. L. Huston, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Abstract

This paper discusses recently developed procedures for studying the effects of flexibility in rapidly moving multibody systems. The focus of the paper is the consistent formulation of the governing dynamical equations so that "dynamic stiffening" terms are properly included. This formulation requires a blending together of structural dynamics and multibody dynamics techniques. Specifically, nonlinear strain displacement relations are linearized in terms of displacements away from an undeformed state and the governing equations are then obtained using Kane's method. Several examples are presented and discussed.