Modeling of Lateral Collision between Adjacent Structures

A simplified multiple degree of freedom (MDOF) numerical model for analysis of the lateral collision between adjacent structures is proposed. This new model is based on the following hypothesis: when the adjacent structures or structural elements are collided with relatively high velocity and the local stiffness at the location of contact are much higher than the global stiffness of the involved systems, then the duration of each collision can be assumed as zero, and the change in potential energy of the system is negligibly small. Consequently, the constraints between the structural elements can be removed during the interval of collision, and the principal of conservation of momentum and the coefficient of restitution are introduced to uniquely determine the final velocities of colliding masses. The problem, therefore, tends to be a set of MDOF systems subjected to a series of sudden change in velocities. A solution scheme is proposed which can be incorporated easily into existing computer programs based on modal superposition method. The effectiveness and accuracy of the method is illustrated in a number of selected sample problems.

• INTRODUCTION

• FORMULATION OF THE PROBLEM

• NUMERICAL EXAMPLES

• CONCLUSIONS

• REFERENCES