Dynamic modeling of flexible multibody systems with parameter uncertainty

Dynamic models of practical multibody systems may have inaccuracies which are due to parameter uncertainties. These parameter uncertainties are caused by factors such as joint clearances, friction, lubrication, material non-uniformities and manufacturing and assembly errors. In this paper, a model for the determination of the impact of the stochastic behavior of model parameters on the dynamic response of a system is developed. In the method presented, it is assumed that deformations remain small, so that linearized equations for the dynamics of the flexible multibody systems with “dynamic stiffening terms” could be obtained. The Monte-Carlo method and the perturbation method are successfully used to simulate multibody systems with parameter uncertainties using the governing equations developed. An example of a flexible beam is used to demonstrate the method.