A nonlinear finite element model for dynamics of flexible manipulators

A general nonlinear dynamics model is developed for three-dimensional flexible manipulators. A manipulator link is modelled as a beam undergoing both large gross rigid body motion and elastic deformation. The beam is discretized by the finite element method with its inertia lumped at the nodes of each element. A nonlinear strain-displacement relationship is developed to retain the geometric nonlinearity resulting from the large relative elastic deflections. The geometric nonlinearity is specifically treated so that the significance of the geometric nonlinear effects can be easily included not only in the fully nonlinear model, but also in the linearized model. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the significant effects of geometric nonlinearity on the dynamic response of a flexible manipulator.