Study and implementation of a computational code to the dynamical analysis of structures and mechanisms with actuators

• Grant number: 16/24463-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2017
• End date: November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Humberto Breves Coda
• Grantee: Pedro Ângelo Vaz de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Application of increasingly lightweight and flexible structures and mechanisms requires the knowledge of geometrically non-linear dynamics. More than that, it is of interest to introduce actuators with the purpose of imposing the desired movements or to eliminate undesired movements of structures. Thus, the proposition of this research is to introduce the basic knowledge related to the topic, as well as, to develop a computational code to the simulation of plane trusses by the positional finite element method. In the developed computational code flexible actuators will be modeled by ordinary truss elements using prescribed strain and the rigid actuators will be modeled using Lagrange Multipliers. Implementations will be done using MATLAB®, that is well known by the student and the resulting computational code will be used to the analysis of practical problems. In this way, from the three basic fronts of this project: theoretical studies for general formation, elaboration of the computational code and validation tests with applications, a great contribution is expected for the formation of the student, as well as the writing of a scientific article and the availability of the generated Computer program. (AU)