Flexible multibody simulation and choice of shape functions (Q1969445)

The authors open by pointing out that any system may be analysed in two ways, firstly by Lagrange equations with constraints entering by Lagrange multipliers, and secondly by state space representation of motions. They discuss the concepts associated with the motion of the representative body, it being assumed that the deformations of this are small, in which case Ritz approximations may be used. Next, the dynamics of the representative body are discussed, and the possibility of using Jourdain's principle of virtual power is mentioned together with its consequences. Following this, the authors introduce concepts of generalized forces and generalized masses. Next, body reference frames are discussed together with some associated minimization principles. The principles involved in linearization and geometrical stiffening are introduced, and it is shown how multibody systems may be discussed. The authors point out that two processes may be of use, namely the nodal and modal. Throughout the paper, the application of the Ritz method is mentioned. The tone of the paper is somewhat abstract, and there is no illustration of the principles discussed by an actual example. The paper is followed by a list of over 40 references.