Interference impact analysis of multibody systems

A new computer aided analysis method for frictionless impact problems due t o interference between two bodies in a constrained multibody system is pres ented in this paper. A virtual contact joint concept is used to detect inte rference between two bodies and calculate the jump in the body momenta, vel ocity discontinuities and rebounds. The interference surfaces can be descri bed by the joint coordinates of the virtual contact joint, which are very u seful for determining the impact time, the types and positions of two impac t surfaces and impact initial conditions when an interference happens betwe en two bodies.