A new time-finite-element implicit integration scheme for multibody system dynamics simulation

When performing the dynamic simulation of stiff mechanical systems, implicit type integration schemes are usually required to preserve stability. This article presents a new implicit time integrator, which is a particular application of a novel state-time formulation recently developed by the authors in a more general scope. The proposed scheme is constructed with the intent of benefitting from the accuracy and apparent robustness thus far achieved with this algorithm in an integration context. This is realized by first setting up the weighted residual equations for the system in a form associated with the application of a time marching integration scheme. The resulting algebraic equations are then solved, minimizing the error of integration time step in a generalized energy sense, allowing one to capture the stiff behavior of solution in an efficient manner. Examples are provided to show the proposed method performance when dealing with a stiff system.