A comparison in terms of accuracy and efficiency between a MBS dynamic formulation with stress analysis and a nonlinear FEA code (Q2745430)

An efficient computer-aided design of mechanical systems requies at least the interplay of CAD software for modelling the system, an MBS program for multibody system analysis, and some FEA code for finite element analysis of participating deformable components of the mechanical system. Whereas the CAD software is usually well connected with MBS and the FEA codes, the interplay of the MBS program with FEA codes is not so well developed. Instead of the separation of the MBS analysis and FEA, the authors study and compare two alternatives of an all-at-once analysis: the multibody dynamic analysis with flexible bodies, and a nonlinear FEA with large displacement and finite rotations. The numerical results obtained from four characteristic examples clearly indicate that flexible multibody dynamic analysis is much more efficient than the nonlinear FEA for similar accuracy of the results.