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U.S. Department of Energy
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Nonlinear finite element simulation of the large angle motion of flexible bodies

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6332175

Finite element simulations of the geometrically nonlinear, large angle motion of flexible bodies are presented and discussed. The simulations use ABAQUS, a commercially available nonlinear, large strain-displacement structural finite element program. To evaluate the capabilities of ABAQUS, simulation results for three examples are presented: a large angle maneuver of a cantilevered beam, the nutation of a rotating free-free beam observed from a rotating frame, and the spin-up of a cantilevered beam from rest. The spin-up problem is a standard test case which tests for false divergence of the beam above a critical spin rate. In these simple examples, ABAQUS successfully simulates the large rotational motion, correctly capturing the geometrically nonlinear effects. The success of these simple examples indicates that ABAQUS, or similar nonlinear finite element programs, could be used to simulate the large angle rotation of arbitrary structures when a high fidelity truth model is desired. 9 refs., 15 figs., 3 tabs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6332175
Report Number(s):
SAND-88-2366C; CONF-8904112-2; ON: DE89006505
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English