Computational Dynamics, 3rd Edition

Chapter 9. MULTIBODY SYSTEM COMPUTER CODES

General purpose multibody system computer programs are widely used in the analysis of many industrial, technological, and biological applications. These computer programs can be used in virtual prototyping, design, performance evaluation, and analysis of complex systems. In this chapter, the general purpose multibody system computer code SAMS/2000 (Systematic Analysis of Multibody Systems) is used as an example to introduce the reader to the capabilities and main features of these computer programs. Many of the formulations and algorithms discussed in various chapters of this book are implemented in SAMS/2000. This computer program allows the user to build complex multibody system models for planar and spatial multibody systems. The code has also advanced multibody system capabilities based on formulations and techniques that are beyond what is covered in this introductory text. If the user is interested in using the more advanced capabilities such as flexible body and rail dynamics, he/she can consult with other texts that provide complete documentations of the formulations and algorithms implemented in SAMS/2000 (Shabana, 2005, 2008; Shabana et al., 2008). This chapter provides an introduction to SAMS/2000 capabilities and features that allow the user to systematically build multibody system models. More details can be found in the online Help Manual of the code; and most panels of the code interface have an Information Window that provides ...