Flexible multibody dynamics: Review of past and recent developments (Q1366313)

This is a review paper summarizing past and recent developments in dynamical analyses of flexible multibody systems. The author's stated objective is: ``to review some of the basic approaches used in the computer aided kinematic and dynamic analysis of flexible mechanical systems, and to identify future directions in this research area.'' Specifically, the floating frame of reference formulation, the finite element incremental methods, large rotation vector formulations, the finite segment method, and the linear theory of elastodynamics are reviewed. The future research areas identified are: 1) establishing the relationship between the different formulations; 2) contact and impact dynamics; 3) control-structure interaction; 4) use of modal identification and experimental methods in flexible multibody simulations; 5) application of flexible multibody techniques to computer graphics; 6) numerical issues; and 7) large deformation problems. The paper represents an extensive literature review by the author. It has 105 references and should be of interest and use to students, practitioners, and researchers working with flexible multibody systems.