'Velocity' finite element method for dynamic problem (Q1088487)

After analyzing the essential features of successive integration method, taking displacement as variable, this paper presents a ''velocity'' element method, taking velocity as variable for the solution of the initial value problem. A simplified scheme is offered for the non-damping system, and the stability is also discussed. Owing to the fact that this simplified scheme for non-damping and apparent static damping is explicit in form, it is unnecessary to solve the algebraic system of equations at every time interval, consequently the amount of computation is greatly reduced. For nonlinear dynamic problems, this scheme may be used to obtain fairly good initial values for iteration. An extended form of ''velocity'' element is presented for the arbitrary damping system. For the nonlinear cases, the incremental velocity iteration scheme is adopted and its convergence proved. Some discussions have been given on artificial damping and the effect of the parameter. Finally, the results of numerical calculation of some typical problems are given in the appendix.