New dual meshless flexible body methodology for multi-body dynamics: Simulation of generalized moving loads

Abstract One of the main limits on the design phase of new mechanical components is the limited integration between the computer aided design (CAD) and the computer aided engineering (CAE) phases [1,2]. At present the virtual validation phase, carried out using various methods such as the finite element method (FEM) and multibody analysis (MBS), wastes a lot of time on model meshing, simplifications and database transfers. In recent years some new so-called meshless methodologies for CAx phase integration have been improved. In this paper the feasibility of a new meshless methodology based on spline geometry description is presented. Using this method it is possible to employ directly the B-spline CAD description to describe the physical behaviour of a general flexible body for all the CAE validation phases. Moreover, this method, taking advantage of its continuous formulation, is able to solve some important unsolved problems such as the generalized interactions between flexible bodies in multi-body analyses. In this paper the full method formulation is presented through curved beam implementation and examples.