Configuration design sensitivity analysis of dynamics for constrained mechanical systems

A continuum-based configuration design sensitivity analysis method is devel oped for dynamics of multibody systems. The configuration design variables of multibody systems define the shape and orientation changes. The equation s of motion are directly differentiated to obtain the governing equations f or the design sensitivity. The governing equation of the design sensitivity is formulated as an overdetermined differential algebraic equation and tre ated as ordinary differential equations on manifolds. The material derivati ve of a domain functional is performed to obtain the sensitivity due to sha pe and orientation changes. The configuration design sensitivities of a fly -ball governor system and a spatial four bar mechanism are obtained using t he proposed method and are Validated against these obtained from the finite difference method. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.