Syllabus academic year 2009/2010
(Created 2009-08-11.)
NUMERICAL METHODS IN MULTIBODY DYNAMICSFMN110

Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Level: A (Second level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand. Optional for: F4, F4tvb, M4, Pi4, Pi4bs. Course coordinator: Claus Führer, Claus.Fuhrer@na.lu.se, Numerisk analys. Recommended prerequisits: Numerical Analysis (basic course). The course might be cancelled if the numer of applicants is less than 10. Assessment: Homework reports and a computational project. Home page: http://www.maths.lth.se/na/courses/FMN110.

Aim
Multibody dynamics is the basis for several computational tools for complex mechanical systems for example in vehicle dynamics. The subject is based on important computational methods. The goal of this course is to demonstrate how such methods work and how they interact with models.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Mathematical models in multibody dynamics are often written as ordinary differential equations with and without side conditions. Students have to discretize such equations, that is to construct computable approximations. Moreover, students have to implement and to apply such algorithms independently

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

- be able to independently evaluate various multibody models with respect to their suitability for fast computations

- be able to independently select and apply computational algorithms

- be able to evaluate both accuracy and relevance of numerical results

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

- write a logically well structured report in suitable terminology on the construction of basic mathematical models and algorithms.

- write an algorithmically well structured report in suitable terminology on the numerical approximation of mechanical systems with and without constraints.

Contents
Introduction to multibody dynamics, methods for linear system analysis, simulation of unconstrained mechanical systems, differential-algebraic equations and system with constraints (joints), treatment of systems with discontinuities (friction etc.), parameter identification methods, coupled rigid and elastic systems

Literature
Eich-Soellner, Führer: Numerical Methods in Multibody Dynamics, Lund, 2008.