A Computer-Aided Environment for Analysis and Design of Mechanical Systems

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid M. Lankarani ◽  
Behnam Bahr ◽  
Saeid Motavalli
Keyword(s):  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Mechanical Systems ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Design System ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Efficient Design ◽  
Analysis And Design ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract This paper presents the description of an ideal tool for analysis and design of complex multibody mechanical systems. It is in the form of a general-purpose computer program, which can be used for simulation of many different systems. The generality of this computer-integrated environment allows a wide range of applications with significant engineering importance. No matter how complicated the mechanical system under consideration is, a numerical multibody model of the system is constructed. The governing mixed differential/algebraic equations of motion are automatically formulated and numerically generated. State-of-the-art numerical techniques and computational methods are employed and developed which produce in the response of the system at discrete time junctures. Postprocessing of the results in the form of graphical images or real-time animations provides an enormous aid in visualizing motion of the system. The analysis package may be merged with an efficient design optimization algorithm. The developed integrated analysis/design system is a valuable tool for researchers, design engineers, and analysts of mechanical systems. This computer-integrated tool provides an important bridge between the classical decision making process by an engineer and the emerging technology of computers.

Rotorcraft Trim Analysis Using a General-Purpose Multibody Code

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Federico ◽  
A. Russo
Keyword(s):  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Original System ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Integration Scheme ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Periodic Motions ◽  
Wide Range

Rotorcraft dynamics represents a major analytical challenge to aeronautical industry and research centres. Complexities arising from large rigid motions, body elasticity, aerodynamic loads and control systems have to be taken into account in order to ensure the accuracy of a comprehensive analysis. Architected for the nonlinearities associated with large motion in three-dimensional space, the ADAMS general-purpose multibody code allows to automatically formulate and integrate the equations of motion for a wide range of mechanisms, including rotary wing systems (once provided with an aerodynamic force field description). However, the ADAMS simulation system lacks the capability to calculate periodic motions, as required in the helicopter trim analysis and stability evaluation. The prediction of the trimmed periodic motions of the rotor system implies the numerical solution of differential-algebraic boundary value problem. In this work we present a new approach to perform this task inside the ADAMS numerical environment. Thia approach is based on the perturbation of the minimal set of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), being equivalent to the original system of Differential Algebraic Equations (DAEs) which defines the rotorcraft equation of motion. The transformation of DAEs to ODEs is based on the linearization of the local constraint manifold defined by the algebraic constraint equations, as suggested by Maggi in his work [1–3]. The proposed method is quite general and can be used to drive the ADAMS integration scheme within the periodic motion analysis of mechanical systems. The algotithm is adopted to simulate the wind tunnel trim test of a ECD BO105 machscaled model (EU HeliNOVI project [4]). Comparisons between numerical and experimental results are provided.

scholarly journals Assessment of Linearization Approaches for Multibody Dynamics Formulations

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco González ◽  
Pierangelo Masarati ◽  
Javier Cuadrado ◽  
Miguel A. Naya
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical System ◽  
Multibody Dynamics ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Linearization Methods ◽  
Highly Nonlinear ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Way

Formulating the dynamics equations of a mechanical system following a multibody dynamics approach often leads to a set of highly nonlinear differential-algebraic equations (DAEs). While this form of the equations of motion is suitable for a wide range of practical applications, in some cases it is necessary to have access to the linearized system dynamics. This is the case when stability and modal analyses are to be carried out; the definition of plant and system models for certain control algorithms and state estimators also requires a linear expression of the dynamics. A number of methods for the linearization of multibody dynamics can be found in the literature. They differ in both the approach that they follow to handle the equations of motion and the way in which they deliver their results, which in turn are determined by the selection of the generalized coordinates used to describe the mechanical system. This selection is closely related to the way in which the kinematic constraints of the system are treated. Three major approaches can be distinguished and used to categorize most of the linearization methods published so far. In this work, we demonstrate the properties of each approach in the linearization of systems in static equilibrium, illustrating them with the study of two representative examples.

scholarly journals Numerical solution for consistent initial conditions of constrained mechanical systems

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-185
Author(s):  
Dinh Van Phong
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Solution ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Mechanical Systems ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
System Of Equations ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Flexible Approach ◽  
Constrained Mechanical Systems ◽  
Consistent Initial Values

The article deals with the problem of consistent initial values of the system of equations of motion which has the form of the system of differential-algebraic equations. Direct treating the equations of mechanical systems with particular properties enables to study the system of DAE in a more flexible approach. Algorithms and examples are shown in order to illustrate the considered technique.

Analysis and Optimal Design of Spatial Mechanical Systems

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Ashrafeiuon ◽  
N. K. Mani
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Optimal Design ◽  
Dynamic Analysis ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Mechanical Systems ◽  
Design Sensitivity ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Design Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Analysis And Design ◽  
Spatial Systems

Abstract This paper presents a new approach to optimal design of large multibody spatial mechanical systems. This approach uses symbolic computing to generate the necessary equations for dynamic analysis and design sensitivity analysis. Identification of system topology is carried out using graph theory. The equations of motion are formulated in terms of relative joint coordinates through the use of velocity transformation matrix. Design sensitivity analysis is carried out using the Direct Differentiation method applied to the relative joint coordinate formulation for spatial systems. Symbolic manipulation programs are used to develop subroutines which provide information for dynamic and design sensitivity analysis. These subroutines are linked to a general purpose computer program which performs dynamic analysis, design sensitivity analysis, and optimization. An example is presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the approach.

A Geometric Derivation of the Equations of Motion for Mechanical Systems With Scleronomic Constraints

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sotirios Natsiavas ◽  
Elias Paraskevopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Methods ◽  
Lagrange Multipliers ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Mechanical Systems ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Constraint Equation ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Motion Constraints ◽  
Stiffness Properties

A new set of equations of motion is presented for a class of mechanical systems subjected to equality motion constraints. Specifically, the systems examined satisfy a set of holonomic and/or nonholonomic scleronomic constraints. The main idea is to consider the equations describing the action of the constraints as an integral part of the overall process leading to the equations of motion. The constraints are incorporated one by one, in a process analogous to that used for setting up the equations of motion. This proves to be equivalent to assigning appropriate inertia, damping and stiffness properties to each constraint equation and leads to a system of second order ordinary differential equations for both the coordinates and the Lagrange multipliers associated to the motion constraints automatically. This brings considerable advantages, avoiding problems related to systems of differential-algebraic equations or penalty formulations. Apart from its theoretical value, this set of equations is well-suited for developing new robust and accurate numerical methods.

Implicit Integration of the Equations of Multibody Dynamics in Descriptor Form

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward J. Haug ◽  
Mirela Iancu ◽  
Dan Negrut
Keyword(s):  
Multibody Dynamics ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Time Derivative ◽  
Kinetic Equations ◽  
Mechanical Systems ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Integration Formulas ◽  
Multibody Dynamic ◽  
Constrained Equations

Abstract An implicit numerical integration approach, based on generalized coordinate partitioning of the descriptor form of the differential-algebraic equations of motion of multibody dynamics, is presented. This approach is illustrated for simulation of stiff mechanical systems using the well known Newmark integration method from structural dynamics. Second order Newmark integration formulas are used to define independent generalized coordinates and their first time derivative as functions of independent accelerations. The latter are determined as the solution of discretized equations obtained using the descriptor form of the equations of motion. Dependent variables in the formulation, including Lagrange multipliers, are determined to satisfy all the kinematic and kinetic equations of multibody dynamics. The approach is illustrated by solving the constrained equations of motion for mechanical systems that exhibit stiff behavior. Results show that the approach is robust and has the capability to integrate differential-algebraic equations of motion for stiff multibody dynamic systems.

Control Constraint of Underactuated Aerospace Systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierangelo Masarati ◽  
Marco Morandini ◽  
Alessandro Fumagalli
Keyword(s):  
Feedforward Control ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Underactuated Systems ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Control Constraint ◽  
Multibody Problems

This paper discusses the problem of control constraint realization applied to the design of maneuvers of complex underactuated systems modeled as multibody problems. Applications of interest in the area of aerospace engineering are presented and discussed. The tangent realization of the control constraint is discussed from a theoretical point of view and is used to determine feedforward control of realistic underactuated systems. The effectiveness of the computed feedforward input is subsequently verified by applying it to more detailed models of the problems, in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties in combination with feedback control. The problems are solved using a free general-purpose multibody software that writes the constrained dynamics of multifield problems formulated as differential-algebraic equations. The equations are integrated using unconditionally stable algorithms with tunable dissipation. The essential extension to the multibody code consisted of the addition of the capability to write arbitrary constraint equations and apply the corresponding reaction multipliers to arbitrary equations of motion. The modeling capabilities of the formulation could be exploited without any undue restriction on the modeling requirements.

Control Constraint Realization Applied to Underactuated Aerospace Systems

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierangelo Masarati ◽  
Marco Morandini ◽  
Alessandro Fumagalli
Keyword(s):  
Position Control ◽  
Feedforward Control ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Vertical Plane ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Control Constraint

This paper discusses the problem of control constraint realization applied to the design of maneuvers of complex under-actuated systems modeled as multibody problems. Applications of interest in the area of aerospace engineering are presented and discussed. The tangent realization of the control constraint is discussed from a theoretical point of view and used to determine feedforward control of realistic under-actuated systems. The effectiveness of the computed feedforward input is subsequently verified by applying it to more detailed models of the problems, in presence of disturbances and uncertainties in combination with feedback control. The proposed applications consist in the position control of a complex closed chain mechanism representative of a robotic system, the control of a simplified model of a canard and a conventional air vehicle in the vertical plane, and the angular velocity control of a wind-turbine. In the aeromechanics examples, the tangent realization of the control relies on the availability of the Jacobian matrix of an aeroelastic model. All problems are solved using a free general-purpose multibody software that writes the constrained dynamics of multi-field problems in form of Differential-Algebraic Equations (DAE). The equations are integrated using A/L-stable algorithms. The essential extension to the multibody code consisted in the addition of the capability to write arbitrary constraint equations and apply the corresponding reaction multipliers to arbitrary equations of motion. This allowed to exploit the modeling capabilities of the formulation without any undue restriction on the modeling requirements.

Stabilization Method for Numerical Integration of Multibody Mechanical Systems

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Tin Lin ◽  
Ming-Chong Hong
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Integration ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Mechanical Systems ◽  
Constraint Equation ◽  
Differential Algebraic Equations ◽  
Integration Step ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Stabilization Method ◽  
Step Size ◽  
Integration Methods

The object of this study is to solve the stability problem for the numerical integration of constrained multibody mechanical systems. The dynamic equations of motion of the constrained multibody mechanical system are mixed differential-algebraic equations (DAE). In applying numerical integration methods to this equation, constrained equations and their first and second derivatives must be satisfied simultaneously. That is, the generalized coordinates and their derivatives are dependent. Direct integration methods do not consider this dependency and constraint violation occurs. To solve this problem, Baumgarte proposed a constraint stabilization method in which a position and velocity terms were added in the second derivative of the constraint equation. The disadvantage of this method is that there is no reliable method for selecting the coefficients of the position and velocity terms. Improper selection of these coefficients can lead to erroneous results. In this study, stability analysis methods in digital control theory are used to solve this problem. Correct choice of the coefficients for the Adams method are found for both fixed and variable integration step size.

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