Abstract
Guidelines are sought for generating component body models for use in controlled, articulated, flexible multibody dynamics system simulations. In support of this effort, exact closed-form and numerical solutions are developed for the small elastic motions of a planar, flexible, single link system, in which the link is represented as an Euler-Bernoulli bar in transverse vibration. The link is connected to ground by a pin joint, and the articulation is controlled by proportional and proprotional/derivative (PD) feedback control laws. The characteristics of the closed-form solution are shown to consist of combinations of the characteristic expressions associated with classical end conditions. A large-articulation flexible body model of a controlled-articulation flexible link is then developed and linearized about an arbitrary reference angle. This model uses the method of assumed modes to represent the flexible behavior of the link. It is shown the model is analytically equivalent to a purely structural model which uses a hybrid set of assumed modes, and that numerical convergence can be investigated in terms of admissible functions and quasi-comparison functions. Numerical evaluation of the use of various types of assumed modes is presented in a companion paper.