Energy conservative property of impulse-based methods for collision resolution

• Published in: International journal for numerical methods in engineering Vol. 95; no. 6; pp. 529 - 540
• Main Authors: Tang, XH, Paluszny, A, Zimmerman, R. W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester Blackwell Publishing Ltd 10.08.2013; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Collision dynamics; collision resolution; Computer simulation; Energy conservation; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Impulse-based method; linear momentum conservation; Mathematical models; Numerical analysis; Physics; Rigid-body dynamics; Solid dynamics (ballistics, collision, multibody system, stabilization...); Solid mechanics; Energy method; Collision; Solid dynamic; Displacement(deformation); Critical speed; linear momentum conservation; Modeling; Conservation law; Energy conservation; Impulse-based method; Numerical stability; collision resolution; Mechanical shock
• ISSN: 0029-5981; 1097-0207
• DOI: 10.1002/nme.4537

SUMMARYPhysical accuracy, numerical stability, and computational speed are critical factors in the simulation of collisions. The impulse‐based method models collisions in a system of rigid bodies in a relatively reliable and fast manner. In the present paper, evidence is presented for the energy‐conserving and momentum‐conserving properties of the method. Two different impulse‐based approaches are validated using numerical tests. A necessary condition is proposed for the impulse‐based method to be energy conservative. Results indicate that the impulse‐based method for collision simulation, which satisfies the proposed condition, is energy conservative. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.