Post-Damage Kinematic Simulation of Complex Mechanical Systems

ATAs approach to developing an innovative post-shock kinematic simulation capability for the Navy involves development of a novel methodology that leverages the nonlinear multi-body dynamics capabilities of a commercially available finite element (FE) code, namely Abaqus, to simulate the post-event kinematic operation of a system subject to high intensity loading that may include damage or yielding. Rather than using a purely deterministic approach where a singular solution for the post-shock operation will result, ATA will integrate advanced stochastic methods and approximation modeling techniques into the solution to allow the sensitivity of the complete system to the variability of the kinematic parameters for components to be understood. This will reduce the risk associated with uncertainties in these variables, e.g., post-deformation friction coefficients for sliding components, and provide the Navy with a robust virtual test methodology for complex mechanical systems composed of many classes of articulating components.