Dynamic Response Analysis of Elevator Model

Abstract

Time history response of an elevator rail and counterweight model is studied using numerical and experimental methods. Beam finite elements are used to model the rail and the counterweight. When in contact, the rail and the counterweight are assumed to be connected by very stiff springs. Wilson‐θ method is used to perform the forced response computations. The long computing times result from the need for extremely short time steps used to integrate the nonlinear equations. In addition to the development of simple models and the use of Guyan reduction method, two techniques are introduced to reduce computing time. The numerical and experimental results compare both favorably and qualitatively.