Modeling the dynamics of mechanical joints

This article gives an overview of different approaches for modeling the dynamics of mechanical joints in assembled structures. It contains a literature review pertaining to joint characteristics, types of joint models, and briefly examines models used in the simulation of assembled structures. Further on, a more detailed insight in joint modeling with the finite element method based on three different approaches is given: node-to-node contact using a Jenkins friction model, thin layer elements, and zero thickness elements. These approaches presented with real life applications come from an extensive joint modeling research performed at the Institute of Applied and Experimental Mechanics in the last 15 years. The advantages as well as limitations of these methods are discussed and the authors give practical hints for which cases these methods can be implemented. The article is supplemented with easy to model examples, so that the interested reader can apply the proposed approaches and compare the results with solutions provided by the authors.