NOVEL COUPLING CONSTRAINT TECHNIQUE FOR EXPLICIT FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Abstract

This paper presents a unified novel technique for enforcing nonlinear beam-to-shell, beam-to-solid, and shell-to-solid constraints in explicit finite element formulations. The limitations of classical multi-point constraint approaches are examined at length, particularly in the context of explicit solution schemes. Novel formulation of a generalized constraint method that ensures proper element coupling is then presented, and its computer implementation in explicit integration algorithms is discussed. Crucial in this regard is the accurate and efficient representation of finite rotations, accomplished using an incremental rotation tensor. The results of some illustrative test cases show the accuracy and robustness of the newly developed algorithm for a wide range of deformation, including that in which large rotations are encountered. When compared to existing works, the salient features of the current method are in evidence.