Simulates systems of rigid or flexible bodies connected by joints.
MBD formulates equations for connected rigid or flexible bodies with joints, springs, dampers and contacts (e.g. M q''+Φqᵀλ=F). Software like Adams or Simscape integrates them. Used for vehicles, robots and machinery.
Simulating a car suspension over a bump before building prototypes.
Multibody dynamics simulates many connected bodies, such as vehicles, robots and mechanisms, and it is the basis of most simulation tools for moving machines.
Simulates systems of rigid or flexible bodies connected by joints.
Multibody dynamics simulates many connected bodies, such as vehicles, robots and mechanisms, and it is the basis of most simulation tools for moving machines.
A constraint between bodies, such as a revolute, prismatic or spherical joint, that limits relative motion and carries forces.
Positions, velocities, accelerations and joint forces over time, which feed into strength checks and control design.
Typical applications include simulating the suspension and steering of a car over a bump, checking the reach and collision of a robot arm in a workcell and predicting the loads on a crane boom during a lift.
Study "Hamiltonian mechanics" first (topic 102 of 106 in Engineering Mechanics). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
Differential-algebraic equations. Constraint drift. Co-simulation with controls.
Simulating a car suspension over a bump before building prototypes.
The next topic is "Contact mechanics", which builds directly on this one.
It is classed as Advanced in Engineering Mechanics (topic 103 of 106). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Engineering Mechanics.
Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.