Dynamics of geometrically nonlinear rods. II: Numerical methods and computational examples (Q1871142)

Using the mathematical model and equations established in part I [\textit{H. Weiss}, Nonlinear Dyn. 30, No. 4, 357--381 (2002; Zbl 1101.74040)], the author deals with numerical methods for these equations, which consist of three (in the extensible case) or four (in the inextensible case) single equations and are free of rotational degrees of freedom. The author presents a finite element discretization (including a weak formulation, the choice of shape functions, calculation of net forces and moments) as well as the time integration of ODEs (energy and momentum conserving Crank-Nicholson and Euler-backward schemes with non-material boundary conditions). Computational examples include the motion of a rod in gravitational field, retrieval of a string pendulum, and underwater cable simulation. The numerical results are plotted into diagrams.