An incremental approach for large displacement response of structures subjected to dynamic loads

Abstract

Finite element method using three-noded plate and shell element and 3D beam element in conjunction with mode superposition method is employed for studying the large dynamic displacement response of a typical payload fairing due to a typical separation impulse. Incremental technique is used for solving the geometric non-linear problem. Linear formulations are assumed and a step-by-step analysis is performed on the deformed state of each previous time step. The geometry is updated and the stiffness matrix recomputed after every finite time step and the eigenvalue analysis repeated. The formulations are validated using NASTRAN and NISA finite element packages. The results are compared with the linear analysis and the significance of the geometric non-linearity is stressed.