Skip to main content
Log in

An Algorithm for Compliant Contact Between Complexly Shaped Bodies

  • Published:
Multibody System Dynamics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A new contact algorithm designed for multibody dynamics is presented. It is based on representation of the body surfaces by polygon meshes and contact force determination by the elastic foundation model. Areal discretisations of the contact patches are constructed using methods closely related to computer graphics, e.g. collision detection based on bounding volume hierarchies and generation of subdivision surfaces by means of boundary representation data structures. Two examples prove the robustness of the method for complexly shaped bodies causing multiple and multiply bordered contact patches and conforming contacts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pfeiffer, F. and Wolfsteiner, P. ‘Relative kinematics of multibody contacts’, in Proceedings of the International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Dallas, Texas, 1997.

  2. Pfeiffer, F. and Glocker, C., Multibody Dynamics with Unilateral Contacts, Wiley New York, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Eberhard, P., Kontaktuntersuchungen durch hybride Mehrkörpersystem/Finite Elemente Simulationen, in Habilitation, Shaker Verlag, Aachen, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Joukhadar, A., Wabbi, A. and Laugier, C., ‘Fast contact localisation between deformable polyhedra in motion’, in Proceedings of the IEEE Computer Animation Conference, Geneva, 1996.

  5. Goyal, S., Pinson, E.N. and Sinden, F.W., ‘Simulation of dynamics of interacting rigid bodies including friction I: General problem and contact model’, Engineering with Computers, 10, 1994, 162–174.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Tenaglia, C.A., Orin, D.E., and LaFarge, R.A. and Lewis, C., ‘Toward development of a generalized contact algorithm for polyhedral objects’, in Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Detroit, Michigan, 1999.

  7. Johnson, K.L. Contact Mechanics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kalker, J.J., Three-Dimensional Elastic Bodies in Rolling Contact, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, London, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kalker, J.J. and van Randen, Y., ‘A minimum principle for frictionless elastic contact with application to non-Hertzian half-space contact problems’, Journal of Engineering Mathematics 6(2), 1972, 193–206.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Zachmann, G., ‘Rapid collision detection by dynamically aligned DOP-trees’, in Proceedings of IEEE Virtual Reality Annual International Symposium (VRAIS), Atlanta, Georgia, 1998.

  11. Möller, T., ‘A fast triangle-triangle intersection test’, Journal of Graphics Tools 2(2), 1997, 25–30. http://www.acm.org/jgt/papers/Moller97.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Zachmann, G., ‘Exact and fast collision detection’, Diploma Thesis, Department of Computer Science, Darmstadt University of Technology, 1994.

  13. Brenan, K.E., Campbell, S.L. and Petzold, L.R., Numerical Solution of Initial-Value Problems in Differential-Algebraic Equations, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Philadelphia, 1996.

  14. Hindmarsh, A.C., ‘LSODE and LSODI, two new initial value ordinary differential equation solvers’, ACM-SIGNUM Newsletters, 15, 1980, 10–11.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Sporrer, A., ‘Grundlagen und Modellierung eines biomechanischen Mehrkörpersystems des Menschen zur Computersimulation von Bewegungsabläufen bei rechtsmedizinischen Fragestellungen’, Ph.D. Thesis, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Munich, 2000.

  16. Winter, D.A., Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement. 2nd edn., Wiley & Sons, New York, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Meta3D website: http://www.exchange3d.com; 3D Cafe website: http://www.3dcafe.com

  18. AC3D v3.6 user manual, Inivis Ltd., Ely, Cambs, U.K., 2003. http://www.ac3d.org

  19. Hairer, E., N⊘rsett, S.P. and Wanner, G., Solving Ordinary Differential Equations I: Nonstiff Problems. 2nd revised edn, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1993.

  20. PCM website: http://www.pcm.hippmann.org

  21. Ebrahimi, S., Polygonal contact modal elastic bodies. Zwischenbericht 2B-240, Institute B of mechanics, University of Stuttgort, 2004.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerhard Hippmann.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hippmann, G. An Algorithm for Compliant Contact Between Complexly Shaped Bodies. Multibody Syst Dyn 12, 345–362 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11044-004-2513-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11044-004-2513-4

Key words

Navigation