C.L. Bottasso, O.A. Bauchau, L. Trainelli

On the Modeling of Rotorcraft Systems Using Finite-Element Multibody Dynamics

presented at the 16^th AIDAA Congress, Palermo (Italy), Sept. 2001.

Abstract

Multibody dynamics analysis was originally developed as a tool for modeling mechanisms with simple tree-like topologies composed of rigid bodies, but has considerably evolved to the point where it can handle nonlinear exible systems with arbitrary topologies. It is now widely used as a fundamental design tool in many areas of mechanical engineering. The success of multibody dynamics analysis tools stems from their exibility: a given mechanism can be modeled by an idealization process that identifes the mechanism components from within a large library of elements implemented in the code. Each element provides a basic functional building block, for example a rigid or exible member, a hinge, a motor, etc. Assembling the various elements, it is then possible to construct a mathematical description of the mechanism with the required level of accuracy.