Nonsmooth Mechanics Based on Linear Projection Operator

TL;DR

This paper introduces a unified, geometrically interpretable dynamics formulation for nonsmooth multibody systems using linear projection operators, capable of handling complex impacts, changing topology, and singular constraints with energy consistency.

Contribution

It develops a general, closed-form projection-based framework for nonsmooth multibody dynamics that addresses multiple impacts, changing constraints, and numerical stability, extending prior methods.

Findings

Solutions always exist regardless of constraint conditions.

The formulation minimizes numerical sensitivity via condition number optimization.

Energetic consistency is maintained with a global or characterized restitution matrix.

Abstract

This paper presents a unifying dynamics formulation for nonsmooth multibody systems (MBSs) subject to changing topology and multiple impacts based on linear projection operator. An oblique projection matrix ubiquitously derives all characteristic variables of such systems as follow: i) The constrained acceleration before jump discontinuity from projection of unconstrained acceleration, ii) post-impact velocity from projection of pre-impact velocity, iii) impulse during impact from projection of pre-impact momentum, iv) generalized constraint force from projection of generalized input force, and v) post-impact kinetic energy from pre-impact kinetic energy based on projected inertia matrix. All solutions are presented in closed-form with elegant geometrical interpretations. The formulation is general enough to be applicable to MBSs subject to simultaneous multiple impacts with non-identical restitution coefficients, changing topology, i.e., unilateral constraints becomes inactive or vice versa, or even when the overall constraint Jacobian becomes singular. Not only do the solutions always exist regardless the constraint condition, but also the condition number for a generalized constraint inertia matrix is minimized in order to reduce numerical sensitivity in computation of the projection matrix to roundoff errors. The model is proven to be energetically consistent if a global restitution coefficient is assumed. In the case of non-identical restitution coefficients, the set of energetically consistent restitution matrices is characterized by using Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI).