A Sparsity-Oriented Approach to the Dynamic Analysis and Design of Mechanical Systems—Part 1

The work described herein is an extension of sparse matrix and stiff integrated numerical algorithms used for the simulation of electrical circuits and three-dimensional mechanical dynamic systems. By applying these algorithms big sets of sparse linear equations can be solved efficiently, and the numerical instability associated with widely split eigenvalues can be avoided. The new numerical methods affect even the initial formulation for these problems. In this paper, the equations of motion and constraints (Part 1) and the force function of springs and dampers (Part 2) are set up, and the numerical solutions for static, transient, and linearized types of analysis as well as the modal optimization algorithms are implemented in the ADAMS (automatic dynamic analysis of mechanical systems) computer program for simulation of three-dimensional mechanical systems (Part 2). The paper concludes with two examples: computer simulation of the front suspension of a 1973 Chevrolet Malibu and computer simulation of the landing gear of a Boeing 747 airplane. The efficiency of simulation and comparison with experimental results are given in tabular form.