Coupling finite element analysis and multibody system dynamics for biological research

Flexible Multibody System Dynamics (FMSD) is a simulation technique that can be used to study the behavior of the mechanical systems that consists of one or more deformable bodies. A deformable body can be modeled using a number of approaches while the floating frame of reference formulation is a widely used approach. In that approach, flexibility within Multibody System Dynamics (MSD) is described by employing the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) with a modal reduction approach. The applicability of an FMSD in the feeding mechanism of vertebrate structures is tested in order to utilize the potential of the method in biological research. Flexible Multibody System Dynamics is explored studying the feeding mechanism in a skull of Edingerella madagascariensis. Firstly, a static structural analysis is done using FEA and secondly, dynamic solutions based on FMSD are obtained by varying the number of deformation modes used in the modal reduction analysis. The conclusion is that use of this approach is feasible and efficient for the study of feeding mechanisms in vertebrate structures when a dynamic response should be evaluated. Jordi Marcé-Nogué. Departament de Resistència de Materials i Estructures a l’Enginyeria, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech, Colom 11, 08222, Terrassa, Spain [email protected] and Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICP, Campus de la UAB s/n, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Adam Kłodowski. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850, Lappeenranta, Finland [email protected] Montserrat Sánchez. Departament de Resistència de Materials i Estructures a l’Enginyeria, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech, Colom 11, 08222, Terrassa, Spain [email protected] Lluís Gil. Departament de Resistència de Materials i Estructures a l’Enginyeria, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech, Colom 11, 08222, Terrassa, Spain [email protected]