Special Issue on Computational Multibody Dynamics

Abstract

This issue of the Journal of Computational and Nonlinear Dynamics presents a snapshot of the state-of-the-art in Computational Multibody Dynamics (CMD). Since any attempt at approximating the time evolution of dynamical systems begins with the question of finding robust and efficient numerical integration methods, this special issue opens with several contributions that concentrate on this topic. Specifically, the first four papers cover both analytical and practical aspects related to numerical time integration, for smooth and non-smooth dynamics, for rigid and flexible body systems. Flexible body dynamics is further discussed in two contributions. The first outlines a procedure to reduce the computational burden that flexibility typically places on the numerical solution; the second illustrates how recent CMD advances are leveraged in the context of a challenging biomechanics application. One of the recurrent themes of the research effort within the CMD community pertains to the focus on system-level engineering applications. This usually requires leaving behind the convenience of dealing with simple systems, concentrating instead on complex problems such as active rotorcraft control, quantifying the uncertainty in the aerodynamic loads acting on ground vehicles, or designing an optimal set of experiments for parameter estimation for accurate vehicle dynamics simulation.