A continuous analysis method for planar multibody systems with joint clearance

Clearance from manufacturing tolerances or wear is likely to degrade the dynamic performance of connected machine parts. When joint clearance is introduced, the dynamic response of the mechanical system is substantially changed, seen as high acceleration and force peaks and dissipation of energy. Looking at contact models, the simpler ones, such as the linear Kelvin–Voigt or the nonlinear Hertz model, are characterized by a set of parameters.

These include material parameters, coefficient of restitution and possibly a coefficient of friction. The analysis models can be divided into two groups – continuous and dis-continuous, related to whether integration is carried out through the period of contact, or stopped and restarted after the impact.