Methods for solving the nonlinear equilibrium equation of a compressed elastic rod

A nonlinear boundary value problem on the equilibrium of a compressed elastic rod on nonlinear foundation is considered for cases of free pinching or pivotally supported of the ends. The problem is written as a nonlinear operator equation. Numerical and analytical methods for solving nonlinear boundary value problems are discussed: The Newton-Kantorovich method and the Lyapunov-Schmidt method. We also consider a problem linearized on a trivial solution (the eigenvalue problem), which has an exact solution (Euler) in the case of a hinge support, and for the case of pinching the ends of the rod, the solution formulas are obtained in the works of A. A. Esipov and V. I. Yudovich. The eigenvalue problem is also solved by numerical method. To determine the equilibria of a nonlinear boundary value problem for a given value of the compressive force, it is proposed to apply the Newton-Kantorovich method in combination with the numerical methods, using as initial approximations the asymptotic formulas of new solutions found using the Lyapunov-Schmidt method in the vicinity of the critical value closest to the current value of the compressive load. Numerical calculations are performed and conclusions are drawn about the effectiveness of the methods used.

Internal friction influence on the calculation results and rod system optimization under impulse action

An algorithm for calculating elastic rod systems under the action of impulse loads, using a complex model of internal friction in the material, has been developed and implemented in software. Very short (instantaneous) and extended in time impulses are considered as variants of impulse action. The importance of taking into account the vibration energy dissipation due to internal friction in the material of the structure is shown, considering impulse effects. The implemented software module is used to calculate the dynamic responses of the system in the search for the optimal solution of the control program for the selected variable parameters, target and restrictive functions. The problem of optimizing a flat frame system loaded with static and impulse loads has been posed and solved. An algorithm for finding an optimal solution is considered. Variants of dividing variable parameters into generalized groups are discussed. The minimum volume of material, spent on the structure, is taken as an optimality criterion. Analysis of the influence of the pulse duration of a given value on the calculation results without and with internal friction, as well as a comparative analysis of the optimal designs obtained without and with internal friction in the material and various tolerances for horizontal displacements. The results obtained indicate a significant effect of internal friction on the characteristics of the optimal design, especially with active movement restrictions.

Simple deformation measures for discrete elastic rods and ribbons

The discrete elastic rod method (Bergou et al. 2008 ACM Trans. Graph . 27 , 63:1–63:12. ( doi:10.1145/1360612.1360662 )) is a numerical method for simulating slender elastic bodies. It works by representing the centreline as a polygonal chain, attaching two perpendicular directors to each segment and defining discrete stretching, bending and twisting deformation measures and a discrete strain energy. Here, we investigate an alternative formulation of this model based on a simpler definition of the discrete deformation measures. Both formulations are equally consistent with the continuous rod model. Simple formulae for the first and second gradients of the discrete deformation measures are derived, making it easy to calculate the Hessian of the discrete strain energy. A few numerical illustrations are given. The approach is also extended to inextensible ribbons described by the Wunderlich model, and both the developability constraint and the dependence of the energy on the strain gradients are handled naturally.

Flexible multibody impact simulations based on the isogeometric analysis approach

Usually detailed impact simulations are based on isoparametric finite element models. For the inclusion in multibody dynamics simulation, e.g., in the framework of the floating frame of reference, a previous model reduction is necessary. A precise representation of the geometry is essential for modeling the dynamics of the impact. However, isoparametric finite elements involve the discretization of the geometry. This work tests isogeometric analysis (IGA) models as an alternative approach in the context of impact simulations in flexible multibody systems. Therefore, the adaption of the flexible multibody system procedure to include IGA models is detailed. The use of nonuniform rational basis splines (NURBS) allows the exact representation of the geometry. The degrees of freedom of the flexible body are afterwards reduced to save computation time in the multibody simulation. To capture precise deformations and stresses in the area of contact as well as elastodynamic effects, a large number of global shape functions is required. As test examples, the impact of an elastic sphere on a rigid surface and the impact of a long elastic rod are simulated and compared to reference solutions.