Study on the contact problem of multibody system dynamics

Contact problem of multibody system dynamics is the very complex and challenged problem. How to deal with the contact problem under different situation is usually puzzled the analytical engineers in the multibody system dynamics software. Firstly, common-used contact theories and algorithms are described such as Hertzian contact, 2-dimension curve-curve contact, 3-dimension surface-surface or solid-solid contact etc. Their corresponding usage conditions are also introduced. An then, an example about a real contact model in different contact definition methods is given. The simulation results and simulation time are compared with each other. Finally, the conclusions about the appropriate contact definition method under different situation are given.