Impact Response of Flying Objects Modeled by Positional Finite Element Method

This paper analyzes the dynamic response of space and plane trusses with geometrical and material nonlinear behaviors using different time integration algorithms, considering an alternative Finite Element Method (FEM) formulation called positional FEM. Each algorithm is distinguished from each other by its specific form of position, velocity, acceleration and equilibrium equation concerning the stability, consistency, accuracy and efficiency of solution. Particularly, the impact problems against rigid walls are analyzed considering Null-Penetration Condition. This formulation is based on the minimum potential energy theorem written according to the nodal positions, instead of the structural displacements. It has the advantage of simplicity when compared with the classical counterparts, since it does not necessarily reply on the corotational axes. Moreover, the performance of each temporal integration algorithm is evaluated by numerical simulations.