Dynamic analysis of flexible multibody systems using finite elements based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation

Abstract

The computational analysis of mechanical systems has a wide array of applications and is therefore essential in many fields of modern industry. This dissertation studies the simulation of mechanical systems using the multibody dynamics approach. Focus is placed on the modeling of flexible bodies using finite elements based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), the advantages of which are investigated in detail.

The objective of this study is to develop finite elements based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation and apply them to the static and dynamic simulation of various structures. In the included publications, several ANCF-based beam and plate elements are developed and numerically tested, many of which belong to the category of higher-order elements. These elements provide a way to avoid locking issues via accurate modeling of deformation.

The articles included in the dissertation provide several contributions to the study of ANCF-based finite elements as well as their application to the simulation of mechanical systems. The information thus provided is useful for further research in the field and for computational applications of the elements developed.