Reduced projection augmented Lagrange bi-conjugate gradient method for contact and impact problems

Based on the numerical governing formulation and non-linear complementary conditions of contact and impact problems, a reduced projection augmented Lagrange bi- conjugate gradient method is proposed for contact and impact problems by translating non-linear complementary conditions into equivalent formulation of non-linear program- ming. For contact-impact problems, a larger time-step can be adopted arriving at numer- ical convergence compared with penalty method. By establishment of the impact-contact formulations which are equivalent with original non-linear complementary conditions, a reduced projection augmented Lagrange bi-conjugate gradient method is deduced to im- prove precision and efficiency of numerical solutions. A numerical example shows that the algorithm we suggested is valid and exact.

Computational dynamics of soft machines

Soft machine refers to a kind of mechanical system made of soft materials to complete sophisticated missions, such as handling a fragile object and crawling along a narrow tunnel corner, under low cost control and actuation. Hence, soft machines have raised great challenges to computational dynamics. In this review article, recent studies of the authors on the dynamic modeling, numerical simulation, and experimental validation of soft machines are summarized in the framework of multibody system dynamics. The dynamic modeling approaches are presented first for the geometric nonlinearities of coupled overall motions and large deformations of a soft component, the physical nonlinearities of a soft component made of hyperelastic or elastoplastic materials, and the frictional contacts/impacts of soft components, respectively. Then the computation approach is outlined for the dynamic simulation of soft machines governed by a set of differential-algebraic equations of very high dimensions, with an emphasis on the efficient computations of the nonlinear elastic force vector of finite elements. The validations of the proposed approaches are given via three case studies, including the locomotion of a soft quadrupedal robot, the spinning deployment of a solar sail of a spacecraft, and the deployment of a mesh reflector of a satellite antenna, as well as the corresponding experimental studies. Finally, some remarks are made for future studies.

Condensed form of complementarity formulation for discontinuous deformation analysis

While the classical discontinuous deformation analysis(DDA) is applied to the analysis of a given block system, one must preset stiffness parameters for artificial springs to be fixed during the open-close iteration. To a great degree, success or failure in applying DDA to a practical problem is dependent on the spring stiffness parameters, which is believed to be the biggest obstacle to more extensive applications of DDA. In order to evade the introduction of the artificial springs, this study reformulates DDA as a mixed linear complementarity problem(MLCP) in the primal form. Then, from the fact that the block displacement vector of each block can be expressed in terms of the contact forces acting on the block, the condensed form of MLCP is derived, which is more efficient than the primal form. Some typical examples including those designed by the DDA inventor are reanalyzed, proving that the procedure is feasible.