Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Reticulated Space Truss Structures

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, a simpler formulation for the nonlinear motion analysis of reticulated space truss structures is developed by applying a new concept of computational mechanics, named the vector form intrinsic finite element (VFIFE or V-5) method. The V-5 method models the analyzed domain to be composed by finite particles and the Newton's second law is applied to describe each particle's motion. By tracing the motions of all the mass particles in the space, it can simulate the large geometrical and material nonlinear changes during the motion of structure without using geometrical stiffness matrix and iterations. The analysis procedure is vastly simple, accurate, and versatile. The formulation of VFIFE type space truss element includes a new description of the kinematics that can handle large rotation and large deformation, and includes a set of deformation coordinates for each time increment used to describe the shape functions and internal nodal forces. A convected material frame and an explicit time integration scheme for the solution procedures are also adopted. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate capabilities and accuracy of the V-5 method on the nonlinear dynamic stability analysis of space truss structures.