The methods of computational mechanics have been used extensively in modeling many physical systems. The use of multibody-system techniques, in particular, has been applied successfully in the study of various, fundamentally different applications. Railroad Vehicle Dynamics: A Computational Approach presents a computational multibody-system approach that can be used to develop complex models of railroad vehicle systems. The book examines several computational multibody-system formulations and discusses their computer implementation. The computational algorithms based on these general formulations can be used to develop general- and special-purpose railroad vehicle computer programs for use in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems, including the study of derailment and accident scenarios, design issues, and performance evaluation. The authors focus on the development of fully nonlinear formulations, supported by an explanation of the limitations of the linearized formulations that are frequently used in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems. The chapters of the book are organized to guide readers from basic concepts and definitions through a final understanding of the utility of fully nonlinear multibody- system formulations in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems. Railroad Vehicle Dynamics: A Computational Approach is a valuable reference for researchers and practicing engineers who commonly use general-purpose, multibody-system computer programs in the analysis, design, and performance evaluation of railroad vehicle systems.

This fully revised fifth edition provides comprehensive coverage of flexible multibody system dynamics. Including an entirely new chapter on the integration of geometry, durability analysis, and design, it offers clear explanations of spatial kinematics, rigid body dynamics, and flexible body dynamics, and uniquely covers the basic formulations used by the industry for analysis, design, and performance evaluation. Included are methods for formulating dynamic equations, the floating frame of reference formulation used in small deformation analysis, and the absolute nodal coordinate formulation used in large deformation analysis, as well as coverage of industry durability investigations. Illustrated with a wealth of examples and practical applications throughout, it is the ideal text for single-semester graduate courses on multibody dynamics taken in departments of aerospace and mechanical engineering, and for researchers and practicing engineers working on a wide variety of flexible multibody systems.

This second edition presents the theory of continuum mechanics using computational methods. The text covers a broad range of topics including general problems of large rotation and large deformations and the development and limitations of finite element formulations in solving such problems. Dr Shabana introduces theories on motion kinematics, strain, forces and stresses and goes on to discuss linear and nonlinear constitutive equations, including viscoelastic and plastic constitutive models. General nonlinear continuum mechanics theory is used to develop small and large finite element formulations which correctly describe rigid body motion for use in engineering applications. This second edition features a new chapter that focuses on computational geometry and finite element analysis. This book is ideal for graduate and undergraduate students, professionals and researchers who are interested in continuum mechanics.

This book presents the nonlinear theory of continuum mechanics and demonstrates its use in developing nonlinear computer formulations for large displacement dynamic analysis. Basic concepts used in continuum mechanics are presented and used to develop nonlinear general finite element formulations that can be effectively used in large displacement analysis. The book considers two nonlinear finite element dynamic formulations: a general large deformation finite element formulation and a formulation that can efficiently solve small deformation problems that characterize very stiff structures. The book presents material clearly and systematically, assuming the reader has only basic knowledge in matrix and vector algebra and dynamics. The book is designed for use by advanced undergraduates and first-year graduate students. It is also a reference for researchers, practising engineers, and scientists working in computational mechanics, bio-mechanics, computational biology, multibody system dynamics, and other fields of science and engineering using the general continuum mechanics theory.

This book presents the nonlinear theory of continuum mechanics and demonstrates its use in developing nonlinear computer formulations for large displacement dynamic analysis. Basic concepts used in continuum mechanics are presented and used to develop nonlinear general finite element formulations that can be effectively used in large displacement analysis. The book considers two nonlinear finite element dynamic formulations: a general large deformation finite element formulation and a formulation that can efficiently solve small deformation problems that characterize very stiff structures. The book presents material clearly and systematically, assuming the reader has only basic knowledge in matrix and vector algebra and dynamics. The book is designed for use by advanced undergraduates and first-year graduate students. It is also a reference for researchers, practicing engineers, and scientists working in computational mechanics, bio-mechanics, computational biology, multibody system dynamics, and other fields of science and engineering using the general continuum mechanics theory.