Dynamics of mechanical systems involving impact and friction using an efficient contact detection algorithm

In this work, some new results are presented on the dynamics of a class of multibody mechanical systems, involving contact and friction. The main contribution refers to the development of a systematic, accurate and efficient method for detecting contact among the components of a system of solid bodies. For some simple geometries, this task is achieved by employing analytical means. For systems possessing components with complex geometric shapes a more involved numerical methodology is developed. In both cases, once a potential contact point is detected, the common tangent plane and normal vector are located and the penetration depth is calculated, leading to determination of the force arising between the contacting bodies. This information is then passed to a solver, providing the full dynamic response of the system. The validity and numerical efficiency of the methodology developed is first demonstrated by considering a number of examples with relatively small geometric complexity but large traditional value and interesting dynamic response. Some new results are obtained and presented on the dynamics of these systems. Finally, the same methodology is also tested in a more complicated and demanding mechanical application.